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Monday, November 13, 2017

GMA shows and stars recognized in 31st Star Awards

GMA shows and Kapuso stars were recognized for their outstanding work by the Philippine Movie Press Club's 31st Star Awards for Television at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater, ADMU, Cata Tibayan reported on Unang Balita on Monday.

Morning show Unang Hirit was named the Best Morning Show while Wish Ko Lang received the Best Public Service Program award and I-Witness the Best Documentary Show distinction.

GMA News and Public Affairs veterans Howie Severino, Jay Taruc, Sandra Aguinaldo, and Kara David were lauded as the Best Documentary Program Hosts and Vicky Morales the Best Public Service Program Host.

Other GMA awardees include:

Best Primetime Drama Series - Alyas Robin Hood
Best Drama Actors - Ruru Madrid & Dingdong Dantes
Best New Female TV Personality - Mikee Quintos
Best Single Performance By An Actor - Alden Richards
Best Comedy Show - Pepito Manaloto
Best Comedy Actress - Aiai Delas Alas
Best Variety Show - Sunday Pinasaya
Best Female TV Host - Marian Rivera
Best Game Show - Wowowin
Best Magazine Show - Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho
Best Male Newscaster - Arnold Clavio
Best Travel Show Host - Drew Arellano
Best Lifestyle Show - The World of Gandang Ricky Reyes
Best Lifestyle Show Host - Rhian Ramos, Solenn Heussaff
Power Tandem - Sanya Lopez and Rocco Nacino
Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award - Vic Sotto

The annual Star Awards for Television was founded by the PMPC in 1987 and is the television counterpart for the FAMAS Awards for films and Awit Awards for music. — LA, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/632928/gma-shows-and-stars-recognized-in-31st-star-awards/story/?utm_source=GMANews&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=showbiz

Long-delayed north RR project will finally begin

At long last, a project conceptualized as early as the Ramos administration in the 1990s but got bogged down in disputes and controversies in the succeeding administrations will finally get underway. This is the railway that will connect Tutuban in Manila to Malolos, Bulacan, then on to Clark in Pampanga.

The earliest railroad line in the Philippines was built in 1892, the Ferrocaril de Manila-Dagupan, and was expanded in 1902 during the American colonial period. After World War II, various railway lines were operated by the Manila Railroad Company – to Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Albay. There was a rail service to the north that went as far as Damortis, Pangasinan, where buses transported passengers up to Baguio City via Kennon Road.

Over the years, rail transport gave way to road transport. Railroad links to various parts of Luzon were abandoned. But the idea of reviving the railroad network grew, especially during the Fidel Ramos administration in 1992-1998, driven by the need to decongest Metro Manila and develop the provinces around Metro Manila. Northrail was incorporated in 1995 as a subsidiary to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

An agreement was drawn up by Northrail with the China National Machinery Industry Corp. (Sinomach) during the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration (2001-2010) but the succeeding administration of Benigno S. Aquino III (2010-2016) terminated the contract over legal questions. Sinomach sued the Philippines, claiming over $100 million in damages and costs.

Last Tuesday, Secretary Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that the government and Sinomach had finally settled their dispute, saving the over $100-million claim for damages and hundreds of millions of pesos in legal fees and arbitration costs. The agreement was signed in the presence of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano and Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jian Hua.

The railway to the north will now proceed as Philippine National Railways (PNR) North 2 from Tutuban to Malolos and then to Clark at a cost of P150 billion. Work may begin as early as the end of 2017 or the first quarter of 2018, Secretary Tugade said. It will thus be the beginning project of the massive infrastructure program of the Duterte administration known as “Build, Build, Build.”

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Japan to develop 180-kilometer commuter railway in Philippines

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

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

The North-South Commuter Railway will be composed of 38-kilometer Tutuban to Malolos line also known as PNR North 1, 70-kilometer Malolos to Clark New City or PNR North 2, and the 72-kilometer Tutuban to Los Banos, Laguna also known as PNR South Commuter.

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

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

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

PHL to accept ¥1.5B grant from Japan for Marawi rehab, Coast Guard

The Philippines and Japan are set to sign the exchange of notes for a ¥1.5-billion grant for the rehabilitation of Marawi City and the improvement of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Department of Finance (DOF) said Sunday.

The Embassy of Japan will provide a grant of ¥1.5 billion in the form of equipment.

"[A] grant of JPY1.5 billion (estimated at P676 million) from the Embassy of Japan will be given to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the form of equipment and machineries to be used for the rehabilitation of heavily damaged Marawi City," it said.

The equipment will include bulldozers, excavators, and dump trucks, which will be used for the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City, which was liberated from Islamist militants last month.

The grant will also include radar systems, closed circuit televisions, and radio systems to improve the maritime safety and counterterrorism capability of the PCG.

The Philippines is also working on securing from Japan the funding for three key infrastructure projects—the Mega Manila Subway, the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project, and the Malolos-Clark Railway. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News

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‘Rhapsody in Blue’

The Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP), under the leadership of president and Annual Ball Committee overall chair Nonie Basilio, alongside vice president and Annual Ball Committee director-in-charge Tessie Rodrigo and chairman Rose Lazaro, recently held its 38th Anniversary Ball with the theme “Rhapsody in Blue” at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Manila in Makati City.

The event, attended by FCCP members and Manila high society’s art and culture patrons, was made even more memorable with performances from the organization’s talented scholars with renowned pianist Dr. Raul Sunico and the Philippine Ballet Theatre, the nation’s premier ballet company. Sunico received the first FCCP Award for Excellence in Music during the anniversary ball.

“All these years, [FCCP] has faithfully hewn to its mandate the development of arts and culture,” Basilio said. “[It] could not have gone this far without the support of dedicated officers and members as well as good-hearted donors, sponsors and advertisers.”

Congratulations to the Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines for another successful and meaningful ball!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Renna Hechanova Angeles.

Advance birthday greetings to Noel “Toti” Cariño, Nov. 13; Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Wedding Connections’ Pam Rebano and Mila Magsaysay-Valenzuela, Nov. 14; Amelia del Rosario-Aquino, Philippine envoy to UN Teddy Locsin Jr. and Gerard Ramos, Nov. 15; Henann Group of Resorts AVP for sales-Boracay area Isabel Garcia, Nov. 17; business magnate “El Kapitan” Lucio Tan and socialite Leica Carpo, Nov. 18.

Belated birthday greetings to Deo Endrinal who turns 54, November 8. He celebrated his belated birthday party at Manila House Private Club.

So, how was your week?

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

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Countries of the world

Abkhazia
Afghanistan
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Åland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Armenia
Aruba
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Baker Island
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Christmas Island
Clipperton Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Comoros
Cook Islands
Coral Sea Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor (Timor-Leste)
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
French Polynesia
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Howland Island
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)
Jamaica
Jan Mayen
Japan
Jarvis Island
Jersey
Johnston Atoll
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kingman Reef
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Midway Atoll
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nagorno-Karabakh
Namibia
Nauru
Navassa Island
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Cyprus
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of the Congo
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Lucia
Samoa
San Marino
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Korea
South Ossetia
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Barthélemy
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Martin
St. Pierre and Miquelon
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Sudan
Svalbard
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
The Gambia
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Transnistria
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Virgin Islands
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Wake Island
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Big win for PH

The Philippines scored high at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2017 held recently. Noted indie actor Leon Miguel won the Best Actor trophy (short film category) for his engaging role in “Galit Na Aso.”

Directed by Ankit Rawat, it got the Most Popular Film Award, too.

Fritz Silorio won as Best Director for his movie “Fall Guy,” another short film.

Leon Miguel, who hails from Masbate, and who first captured the eye of the movie-going public with his villain role in “Graceland” shown at the TriBeca Film Festival in 2012, has won several Best Actor trophies from various international film festivals in recent years, among them “Redlights” at the IFFM 2016.

Other wins for the Philippines at the IFFM 2017 include: Christopher de Leon, Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting, Best Ensemble Acting Award for the movie “Across The Crescent Moon” – Christopher de Leon, Matteo Guidicelli, Dina Bonnevie, Sandy Andolong, Gabby Concepcion and Joem Bascon; Independent Achievement Award, “Sikreto Sa Dilim” produced by Ramon Roxas and Mike Magat; and Best Director for “The Guerilla Is A Poet,” directed by Sari Dalena and Kiri Dalena.

Going back to Leon Miguel, he is also in the cast of “EJK,” an official movie selection for Best Picture at the recent Los Angeles-Philippines International Film Festival (LAPIFF).

Directed by Rolando Sanchez and also starring Mon Confiado, Felix Roco and DJ Durano, “EJK” is based on events about alleged extra judicial killings in the Philippines.

• • •

‘No’ to more beauty tax

Flawless has publicly expressed its displeasure on Instagram about the current issue on taxes being proposed on all luxury beauty treatments and products.

While clientele of cosmetic clinics span a wide bracket of incomeearners, Flawless believes the decision to be beautiful is a right and a privilege that shouldn’t be oppressed and its consumers should not be discriminated.

The bill is being pushed by Sen. Sonny Angara and is contained in Section 30 of Senate Bill 1592. It comes in the wake of the news that luxury cars will have additional taxes too, and its implementation starts next year.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 11, go to former Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay, AiAi de las Alas, Rowell Santiago, Willie Schneider, Rene-An Gomez, Alice Lopez Lim, Atty. Abet and Vaness Bernales, Marilú Caballes, Jojo Baltazar, Aida Ver, Nini Go, Director Al Quinn, Steven Fermo, Bing Carrion, Emelio Uy and Mon David…Nov. 12: Gov. Imee Marcos, Malou Choa-Fagar, Atty. Teresita Sison, Diego Cagahastian, Rene Tiongco, Anna Marie Gutierrez, Christina Hermoso Zaldarriaga, Barbie Bermundo, Bobby Enciso, Vangie Go, Dr. Wendell Lozano, Mike Aguirre, Reynaldo Campos, Rico Laxa, Ron Morales and Sandara Park…Belated b-day greetings to Marilou Andres-Flores…Nov. 13: Cecille Guidote-Alvarez, Techie Ysmael-Bilbao, Winnie Castillo, Babes Suva-Alfonso, Chula Ramos Sembrano, Babes Suva-Alfonso, Buddy Zabala, Doris de Guia, Eli Maniquis, Gloria Garchitorena Goloy, Noel Paderes of Malate’s Silya Restaurant, Ron Diokno, Leon Flores III, Nicole Noriega, Michelle Centeno, Rinella Gane Fernandez Banajera, Florante Salvador, Margaret Co Que, Gilda Custodio, Melanie A. Arguelles, Howard Dy, and Dimples Romana…

PH, Japan eye early subway completion

The proposed Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) remains on track, the Transportation department said on Wednesday as it denied a report that the start of construction could be pushed back to December next year.

“In fact, instead of the original completion date for the entire system in 2025, the DOTr (Department of Transportation) … has successfully agreed with the Japanese government to pursue the advance completion of a segment of MMSP by the 2nd quarter of 2022,” the department said in a statement.

Following the National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) approval of the project last September, the department said an exchange of notes would be held during next week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, to be followed by the signing of the loan agreement in January next year.

“Pre-construction activities” such as the preparation of designs, acquisition of right-of-way and the bidding out of construction and supply packages are also being undertaken.

“For the partial operability segment of MMSP, the above pre-construction activities are scheduled to be completed from the fourth quarter of 2017 to the third quarter of 2018, with groundbreaking scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2018. All activities leading to this are on track,” the Transportation department said.

Wednesday’s statement was prompted by news that a NEDA official had told a forum that the project schedule could be revised given an estimated timetable submitted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Friday, November 10, 2017

ABS-CBN net income down 20% to P2.26 billion in 1st 9 months

But the media conglomerate's net income for the 3rd quarter of the year stands at P1.01 billion, up 38% from the same quarter last year

Lopez-led media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation saw its net income drop by 20% year-on-year through the 1st 9 months of 2017 in the absence of national elections to boost advertising sales.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday, November 10, ABS-CBN reported a net income of P2.26 billion for the January to September period of the year, compared to the P2.84 billion in the same period last year.

The media conglomerate's net income for the 3rd quarter of 2017, however, stood at P1.01 billion, up 38% from the same quarter last year which was also not boosted by elections.

"Advertising revenues picked up during the 3rd quarter and we are optimistic that we will be able to sustain the momentum until the end of the year to hit our full-year net income target of between P2.7 billion [and] P3 billion," said ABS-CBN chief financial officer Aldrin Cerrado in a statement.

Year-to-date, the firm's consolidated revenue stands at P29.5 billion, with advertising revenue accounting for P15.3 billion, down by 3% from the P15.8 billion net of election-related spending which was registered during the same period last year.

ABS-CBN noted, however, that this was tempered by an 11% increase in consumer sales to P14.2 billion over the same period, driven by demand for ABS-CBN TVplus digital boxes and an increase in Sky Cable's Direct-to-Home (DTH) and broadband subscription revenues.

For the period, Sky Cable's revenues grew by 7% to P6.8 billion from P6.4 billion over the same period last year, attributed to the growing number of its broadband and DTH subscribers.

Star Cinema, meanwhile, generated close to P1.5 billion in gross receipts from movies produced from January to September. It highlighted that one of its films, Finally Found Someone, brought in more than P300 million in ticket sales from its Philippine run and international screenings.

Kidzania, ABS-CBN's educational theme park, earned P324 million in revenues from over 224,000 visitors since the beginning of the year. ABS-CBN said it expects more visitors in the coming months as the holiday season approaches.

The firm also noted that total costs and expenses implemented were flat at P26.8 billion due to cost control measures since 2017 began.

As of end-September, ABS-CBN's total assets amounted to P72.9 billion, while equity stood at P33 billion.

Chinese railway consultant briefs PH on Bicol Express design

Officials of the China Railway Design Corporation (CRDC) briefed officials of the Philippines government regarding the design of Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul also being referred as Bicol Express.

CRDC, according to its company profile, is a large-scale integrated survey and design consultant enterprise of China. The core business of CRDC covers planning, survey and design, engineering general contracting, engineering consultant and project management of railway, urban rail transit, integrated transport terminal, highway, municipal engineering and other areas.

Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, NEDA Secretary Ernie Pernia and BCDA President & CEO Vince Dizon attended the briefing at the DOTr office in Clark.

PNR South Long Haul project will be funded by Chinese official development assistance (ODA) loan. It is 581 kilometers line to Sorsogon which will terminate at the Port of Manila — via FTI in Taguig—through a connecting third track.

Meanwhile, 72-kilometer PNR South Commuter which will run from Tutuban in Manila to Junction station in Los Baños, Laguna is also in the pipeline. This will be funded by Japanese ODA loan and will be interconnected to Japan-funded PNR North (Tutuban to Clark).

MPIC profit jumps 22% in 9 months

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., the infrastructure and tollways conglomerate led by Manuel V. Pangilinan, reported a 17 percent jump in net income to P11.1 billion.

Core net income grew 22 percent to P11.3 billion.

Pangilinan expects core earnings to rise to a record P13.8 billion by the end of the year.

MPIC president and CEO Jose Ma. K. Lim attributed the firm’s strong performance to an expanded power portfolio through increased investment in Beacon Electric Asset Holdings Inc., robust traffic growth on all roads held by Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., and continuing growth in the hospital group.

In terms of contribution to the company’s net operating income, MPIC’s power business accounted for the biggest share at P7.6 billion or 54 percent, while the tollroads contributed P3 billion or 21 percent of the total.

Water distribution and production added P2.8 billion or 20 percent of the total.

The hospital group provided P518 million or four percent, while the rail logistics and systems group delivered P173 million or one percent of the total.

Non-recurring expense amounted to P202 million. This comprised refinancing expenses, project expenses and a separation expense as a result of Maynilad’s redundancy program, largely offset by a realized gain on sale of shares in Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

Moving forward, Pangilinan said the company would continue its mission to build and operate well-run infrastructure offering good value for customers.

“Our commitment to partnership with the government and serving the public has been demonstrated again, this time by our willingness to take on the urgent challenges of the MRT-3. Furthermore, the increased momentum of our tollroads business in launching new transformational projects is visible to all,” he said.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/11/09/1756967/mpic-profit-jumps-22-9-months

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Japan to develop 180-kilometer commuter railway in Philippines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Star Cinema releases ‘Mayhem’

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

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

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

“Mayhem” is now in cinemas nationwide.

• • •

Guitar competition

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

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

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

• • •

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

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Japan-funded Philippine subway project possibly delayed to December 2018

(UPDATE) The start of construction for a Japanese-financed subway in Manila could be pushed back to as far as December next year due to some constraints, an official said Tuesday.

Duterte: Japan to help PH realize its infra dream

The government had said previously that construction of the P355-billion project would start by the first quarter of 2018, meaning it would be delayed by about 9 months.

But the Department of Transportation said the project was "on track" and groundbreaking for the project could happen by the fourth quarter of next year.

The DOTr said a portion of the subway could be completed by the second quarter of 2022, in advance of the full completion in 2025.

Jonathan Uy, assistant secretary for investment programming at the National Economic and Development Authority, said during a forum in Manila that many things need to be taken into account, such as the formalization of a loan agreement.

"You are familiar with the fiscal year of the Japanese, that most agreements and withholding loans are signed on the first quarter of any given year because this is when (the Japanese parliament) confirms the Cabinet's pledge," Uy said.

The official said it is still possible that the construction could start as originally scheduled.
PH set to begin $13-B worth of Japan-funded rail projects

The new schedule is based on an estimated timetable for Phase 1 of the Metro Manila Subway Project given by the Japan International Cooperation Agency to the development authority, the state body that approves the country's big-ticket infrastructure projects.

Formal arrangements for the loan agreement were initially expected to be finalized when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets with President Duterte at the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Manila next week.

Besides the loan agreement, Uy also cited procurement concerns and implementation constraints that could possibly put off the start of construction.

The initial phase of the mega subway, the first such project for the Philippines, will cover a stretch of about 23 kilometers from Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City to Paranaque. It is also expected to be used by 370,000 people daily.

Metro Manila subway gets Duterte approval

The subway is projected to be completed in 2025, according to the development authority.

Separately, the Philippines and Japan are also discussing possible funding of a $197 million anti-flood infrastructure project in Cavite, a city south of Manila, as well as a railway project north of the metropolis.

The $4.27 billion railway will stretch from Malolos in Bulacan to Clark in Pampanga, according to the Finance Department

DOTr, tiniyak na on track ang paggawa sa Japan funded subway

Kinontra ng Department of Tourism ang napaulat na malamang na maantala ang binabalak na gawing subway project na popondohan ng Japan.

Sa katunayan,ayon sa DOTr,bilang resulta ng mga pag uusap, nakuha ni Secretary Arthur Tugade ang commitment ng Japanese government na pasimulan ang advance completion ng segment ng Metro Manila Subway Project.

Binanggit pa sa statement na mismong si Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ang nangako nito kay President Rodrigo Duterte sa naging pagbisita nito sa Japan noong October 30-31.

Ang aktibidad para sa pre-construction ay inaasahang mapasimulan sa 4th quarter ng 2017 hanggang 3rd quarter ng 2018.

Pinupuntirya na makukumpleto ito sa 2nd quarter ng 2022.

DOTr: Expect better MRT-3 service in 3-6 months

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the public can expect better service from the troubled Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) soon.

"Ipagkatiwalaan niyo ho kami, in the next three to six months, mababago ang serbisyo natin sa loob ng MRT-3," DOTr Usec. Cesar Chavez told CNN Philippines' "Newsroom" on Tuesday.

[Translation: Trust us, in the next three-to-six months, the service of the MRT-3 will change.]

Chavez's statement came after the government took over on Monday the maintenance of the MRT-3 from Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) due to the company's alleged poor performance.

This extends the deadline that MRT officials set in May 2017, when they said long lines at the MRT-3 would be gone by December 2017.

'Massive procurement'
Chavez said the government will also need three to six months to find a new maintenance provider, although it will start buying spare parts for the MRT-3.

"Between now hanggang three to six months ay dapat kami rin mismo ay bibili ng mga spare parts," he said. "Massive procurement of spare parts at magdadagdag ng mga personnel."

[Translation: Between now until the next three to six months, we will also buy spare parts. There will be a massive procurement of spare parts and more personnel will be hired.]

The DOTr said possible replacements to BURI are Singapore MRT; Japan's Sumitomo, which was the MRT's former contractor; and French firm RATP, which also works on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1.

Meanwhile, Chavez also said he is expecting by Tuesday morning a letter from Canadian-based technical firm Bombardier, who is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the MRT-3's signaling system.

Chavez said the signaling system, which is used to direct railway traffic, is the "number-one cause" of problems on the rail line.

"Mula noong 2013 hanggang ngayon, walang binili kahit isa," he said. "Therefore, ito rin ang una nating tututukan. Ang gusto nating mangyari, bibili tayo ng spare parts sa Bombardier at ang Bombardier din ang magme-maintain ng mga spare parts na 'yan at ng signalling system. 'Pagka nangyari 'yan, 50 percent ng problema natin ay maaayos."

[Translation: From 2013 until today, not a single part for the signaling system was purchased. Therefore, this will be the first thing that we will focus on. What we want to happen is that we buy spare parts from Bombardier and Bombardier will also maintain the spare parts and the signaling system. If that happens, 50 percent of the problem will be solved.]

Chavez said the government is also in talks with the OEM suppliers for the two other problem spots of the MRT-3: the air-conditioning system and the traction motors, which are used to propel the train cars.

Chavez also said the government has absorbed almost all of the BURI personnel, adding that they also took in maintenance staff from the LRT and the Philippine National Railways to speed up maintenance of the MRT-3.

3 firms vie for MRT maintenance

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will choose another maintenance provider for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) Line 3 through a negotiated bid to be done by February.

Three companies have expressed interest in the contract, according to Reinier Yebra , DOTr undersecretary for Legal and Procurement.

Yebra said these companies include Singapore MRT Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMRT Corp. which is a rail operator in Singapore ; RATP, a public transport operator in Paris and Japan-based Sumitomo-MHI-TESP (Mitsubishi Heavy Industry) .

“We’re looking at bidding it out in three months. Under the procurement law , we’re allowed to conduct the bidding in three to six months,” Yebra said

This alternative mode of procurement pursuant to the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003 is being tapped in recognition of the urgency to address the railway’s maintenance needs.

Negotiated procurement is allowed in the following instances: takeover of contracts which have been rescinded or terminated for causes provided for in the contract and existing laws, where immediate action is necessary to prevent damage to or loss of life or property, or to restore vital public services, infrastructure facilities and other public utilities.

DOTr has established a maintenance transition team (MTT) for the MRT-3 after taking over starting last Monday the maintenance of the system from Busan Universal Railways Inc (BURI) whose three-year contract was pre-terminated.

On the first day DOTr took over the operations of MRT 3 maintenance, the number of trains deployed during peak hours was reduced to 14 trains from 20 deployed by BURI.

“Gradually we will improve the train availability and reliability through … repair and effective preventive maintenance while waiting for the procurement of spare parts,” the MTT said.

To avoid service disruptions, MRT-3 absorbed 408 employees from BURI, whose roles are vital in MRT-3 maintenance works.

The DOTr, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will meet today to discuss contingency measures in case of glitches in MRT-3.

Leah Quiambao, DOTr assistant secretary, said the agency tapped the LTFRB to deploy buses to assist passengers who will be stranded in case there is a technical problem with the MRT or if the queue is long.

Quiambao said the MMDA will manage vehicular flow in MRT stations since the LTFRB buses will add to traffic congestion on EDSA.

Quiambao said the DOTr will particularly discuss issues on how to address the shortage of trains for commuters.

Early morning passengers of the MRT Line 3 were inconvenienced yesterday after a train experienced technical problem on the southbound leg of North avenue in Quezon City at 6 a.m.

Five technical problems were recorded by the agency last Monday, the day DOTr served the final decision to terminate BURI which was tasked to conduct the general overhaul of 43 light rail vehicles, replace its signaling system, and do other additional maintenance works. (M. Iglesias and E. Orias)

31st PMPC Star Awards For Television, sa Linggo na!

TAGISAN ng mahuhusay na programa, artista, hosts, mga tagapagbalita, at mga alagad ng telebisyon ang bibigyan ng rekognisyon, sa isang makulay at maningning na Gabi Ng Parangal ng 31st PMPC Star Awards For Television. Gaganapin ito sa ika-12 ng Nobyembre, 2017, sa Henry Lee Irwin Theater, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City.

Magsisilbing hosts ang magkapatid na Ruffa at Richard Gutierrez, kasama sina Jodi Sta. Maria at Robi Domingo.

Sa opening, aawitin nina Ronnie Liang, Jason Dy, Kris Lawrence, Radha at Jessa Zaragosa ang themesongs ng mga nominadong teleserye at mga awitin mula sa Christmas station IDs.

Isang sing and dance number (boy band songs) naman ang handog ng mga millennials na sina Elmo Magalona at Janella Salvador, kasama ang Boyband.Ph.

At bilang tribute sa Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Awardee na si Vic Sotto, hahandugan siya ng awitin nina Vina Morales and company.

Ipagkakaloob ang Excellence In Broadcasting kay Martin Andanar; Longest Running Daytime Drama Anthology ang Maynila at German Moreno Power Tandem ang dalawang sikat na loveteam na JoshLia (Joshua Garcia & Julia Barretto) at JakBie (Jak Roberto & Barbie Forteza).

Mula sa pamunuan ng pangulong Fernan de Guzman, mga opisyal at miyembro, ang 31st PMPC Star Awards For Television ay handog ng Airtime Marketing Philippines, Inc. ni Ms. Tess Celestino at sa direksyon ni Bert de Leon.

Mapapanood ang kabuuan ng show sa ABS-CBN's Sunday's Best, sa ika-19 ng Nobyembre, 2017.

Narito ang mga nominado:

BEST TV STATION

ABS-CBN 2
BEAM 31
CLTV 36
CNN PHILIPPINES
GMA 7
GMA NEWS TV
IBC 13
LIGHT NETWORK 33
PTV 4
RJTV 29
SBN 21
TV5
NET 25
UNTV 37

BEST PRIMETIME DRAMA SERIES

A LOVE TO LAST (ABS-CBN 2)
ALYAS ROBIN HOOD (GMA 7)
LA LUNA SANGRE (ABS-CBN 2)
MEANT TO BE (GMA 7)
MULAWIN VS RAVENA (GMA 7)
MY DEAR HEART (ABS-CBN 2)
WILDFLOWER (ABS-CBN 2)

BEST DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES

IKA-6 NA UTOS (GMA 7)
IKAW LANG ANG IIBIGIN (ABS-CBN 2)
IMPOSTORA (GMA 7)
PUSONG LIGAW (ABS-CBN 2)
LEGALLY BLIND (GMA 7)
THE BETTER HALF (ABS-CBN 2)
THE GREATEST LOVE (ABS-CBN 2)

BEST DRAMA ACTRESS

BEA ALONZO (A LOVE TO LAST/ABS-CBN 2)
CONEY REYES (MY DEAR HEART/ABS-CBN 2)
JANINE GUTIERREZ (LEGALLY BLIND/GMA 7)
KATHRYN BERNARDO (LA LUNA SANGRE/ABS-CBN 2)
KIM CHIU (IKAW LANG ANG IIBIGIN/ABS-CBN 2)
KRIS BERNAL (IMPOSTORA/ GMA 7)
MAJA SALVADOR (WILDFLOWER/ABS-CBN 2)
SANYA LOPEZ (ENCANTADIA/GMA 7)
SUNSHINE DIZON (IKA-6 NA UTOS/GMA 7)
SYLVIA SANCHEZ (THE GREATEST LOVE/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST DRAMA ACTOR

CARLO AQUINO (THE BETTER HALF/ABS-CBN 2)
COCO MARTIN (FPJ’S ANG PROBINSYANO/ABS-CBN 2)
DANIEL PADILLA (LA LUNA SANGRE/ABS-CBN 2)
DINGDONG DANTES (ALYAS ROBIN HOOD/GMA 7)
GABBY CONCEPCION (IKA-6 NA UTOS/GMA 7)
GERALD ANDERSON (IKAW LANG ANG IIBIGIN/ABS-CBN 2)
IAN VENERACION (A LOVE TO LAST/ABS-CBN 2)
JAMES REID (TILL I MET YOU/ABS-CBN 2)
JERICHO ROSALES (MAGPAHANGGANG WAKAS/ABS-CBN 2)
RURU MADRID (ENCANTADIA /GMA 7)

BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESS

AIKO MELENDEZ (WILDFLOWER/ABS-CBN 2)
CARMINA VILLARROEL (TILL I MET YOU/ABS-CBN 2]
CHANDA ROMERO (LEGALLY BLIND/GMA 7)
DIMPLES ROMANA (THE GREATEST LOVE/ABS-CBN 2)
EULA VALDES (HAHAMAKIN ANG LAHAT/GMA 7)
INA RAYMUNDO (LA LUNA SANGRE/ABS-CBN 2)
IZA CALZADO (A LOVE TO LAST/ABS-CBN 2)
SUNSHINE CRUZ (WILDFLOWER/ABS-CBN 2)
SUSAN ROCES ( FPJ’S ANG PROBINSYANO/ABS-CBN 2)
YASSI PRESSMAN (FPJ’S ANG PROBINSYANO/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTOR

ARNOLD REYES (WILDFLOWER/ABS-CBN 2)
ARRON VILLAFLOR (THE GREATEST LOVE/ABS-CBN 2)
DANIEL FERNANDO (IKAW LANG ANG IBIGIN/ABS-CBN 2)
JHONG HILARIO (FPJ’S ANG PROBINSYANO/ABS-CBN 2)
JOSEPH MARCO (WILDFLOWER/ABS-CBN 2)
JOSHUA GARCIA (THE GREATEST LOVE/ABS-CBN 2)
MARC ABAYA (LEGALLY BLIND/GMA 7)
MATT EVANS (THE GREATEST LOVE/ABS-CBN 2)
RICHARD GUTIERREZ (LA LUNA SANGRE/ABS-CBN 2)
TIRSO CRUZ III (WILDFLOWER/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST CHILD PERFORMER

ANGELICA ULIP (IKA-6 NA UTOS/GMA 7)
AWRA BRIGUELA (WANSAPANATAYM PRESENTS SUPER VING/ABS-CBN 2)
ENZO PELOJERO (MY DEAR HEART/ABS-CBN 2)
JUSTIN JAMES QUILANTANG (LA LUNA SANGRE/ABS-CBN 2)
MARC JUSTIN ALVAREZ (PINULOT KA LANG SA LUPA/GMA 7)
NAYOMI "HEART" RAMOS (MY DEAR HEART/ABS-CBN 2)
XIA VIGOR (LANGIT LUPA/ABS-CBN 2)
YESHA CAMILE (LANGIT LUPA/ABS-CBN 2)
YUAN FRANCISCO (ENCANTADIA/GMA 7

BEST NEW MALE TV PERSONALITY

ADDY RAJ (MEANT TO BE/GMA 7)
BRUNO GABRIEL (HAHAMAKIN ANG LAHAT/GMA 7)
DAVE BORNEA (ALYAS ROBIN HOOD/GMA 7)
GIL CUERVA (MY LOVE FROM THE STAR/GMA 7)
MARCO GALLO (WANSAPANATAYM PRESENTS SUPER VING/ABS-CBN 2)
MARK OBLEA (WANSAPANATAYM PRESENTS MY HAIR LADY/ABS-CBN 2)
MIGO ADECER (ENCANTADIA/GMA 7)
SEBASTIAN DUTERTE (LAKBAI/TV 5)
TONY LABRUSCA (LA LUNA SANGRE/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST NEW FEMALE TV PERSONALITY

AC BONIFACIO (WANSAPANATAYM PRESENTS SUPER VING/ABS-CBN 2)
CORA WADDELL (PUSONG LIGAW/ABS-CBN 2)
KISSES DELAVIN (WANSAPANATAYM PRESENTS SUPER VING/ABS-CBN 2)
KLEA PINEDA (ENCANTADIA/GMA 7)
MAIKA RIVERA (MAGPAHANGGANG WAKAS/ABS-CBN 2)
MAYMAY ENTRATA (MMK-BAHAY/ABS-CBN 2)
MIKEE QUINTOS (ENCANTADIA/GMA 7)
NAYOMI "HEART" RAMOS (MY DEAR HEART/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST DRAMA ANTHOLOGY

DEAR UGE (GMA 7)
IPAGLABAN MO (ABS-CBN 2)
KARELASYON (GMA 7)
MAGPAKAILANMAN (GMA 7)
MAYNILA (GMA 7)
TADHANA (GMA 7)
WAGAS (GMA NEWS TV)

BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS

ANGEL LOCSIN (MMK-KOTSE-KOTSEHAN/ABS-CBN 2)
ANGELICA PANGANIBAN (IPAGLABAN MO-BUGBOG/ABS-CBN 2)
ISABELLE DAZA (MMK-UPUAN/ABS-CBN 2)
JANE OINEZA (MMK-KOTSE-KOTSEHAN/ABS-CBN 2)
JANICE DE BELEN (MAGPAKAILANMAN- ANG SWERTENG HATID NG PERA SA BASURA/GMA 7)
JODI STA. MARIA (MMK-BABY FOR SALE/ABS-CBN 2)
JULIA BARRETTO (MMK-BITUIN/ABS-CBN 2)
MARICEL SORIANO (MMK-BASO/ABS-CBN 2)
ROCHELLE PANGILINAN (KARELASYON-MY BROTHER’S DARK SECRET/GMA 7)
SYLVIA SANCHEZ (IPAGLABAN MO-TESTIGO/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR

ALDEN RICHARDS (EAT BULAGA Lenten Special-KAPATID/GMA 7)
DENNIS TRILLO (KARELASYON-ANG PAGIGING PRESO NI SALBY/GMA 7)
ENCHONG DEE (MMK-REHAB CENTER/ABS-CBN 2)
JC DE VERA (MMK-BASO/ABS-CBN 2)
JOHN ESTRADA (MMK-MANSANAS AT JUICE/ABS-CBN 2)
PIOLO PASCUAL (MMK-UPUAN/ABS-CBN 2)
ROCCO NACINO (MAGPAKAILANMAN-”LOSING JEFFREY FINDING JASON” (THE JASON TOMAS STORY)/GMA 7)
XIAN LIM (MMK-KWEKWEK/ABS-CBN 2)
YVES FLORES (MMK-MANSANAS AT JUICE/ABS-CBN 2)
ZANJOE MARUDO (MMK-ANINO/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM

BUHAY OFW (AKSYON TV)
FAILON NGAYON (ABS-CBN 2)
IMBESTIGADOR (GMA 7)
MISSION POSSIBLE (ABS-CBN 2)
MY PUHUNAN (ABS-CBN 2)
SALAMAT DOK (ABS-CBN 2)
SOCO (ABS-CBN 2)
WISH KO LANG (GMA 7)

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM HOST

ALVIN ELCHICO/BERNADETTE SEMBRANO (SALAMAT DOK/ABS-CBN 2)
GUS ABELGAS (SOCO/ABS-CBN 2)
JULIUS BABAO (MISSION POSSIBLE/ABS-CBN 2)
KAREN DAVILA (MY PUHUNAN /ABS-CBN 2)
MARISSA DEL MAR (BUHAY OFW/IBC 13)
MIKE ENRIQUEZ (IMBESTIGADOR/GMA 7)
TED FAILON (FAILON NGAYON/ABS-CBN 2)
VICKY MORALES (WISH KO LANG/GMA 7)

BEST GAG SHOW

BANANA SUNDAE (ABS-CBN 2)
GOIN' BULILIT (ABS-CBN 2)
HAPI ANG BUHAY (NET 25)

BEST COMEDY SHOW

#MICHAEL ANGELO THE SITCOM (GMA NEWS TV)
HAY! BAHAY! (GMA 7)
HOME SWEETIE HOME (ABS-CBN 2)
PEPITO MANALOTO (GMA 7)

BEST COMEDY ACTOR

CLARENCE DELGADO (GOIN' BULILIT/ABS-CBN 2)
JAYSON GAINZA (BANANA SUNDAE/ABS-CBN 2)
JOBERT AUSTRIA (BANANA SUNDAE/ABS-CBN 2)
JOHN LLOYD CRUZ (HOME SWEETIE HOME/ABS-CBN 2)
JOSE MANALO (HAY! BAHAY!/GMA 7)
MICHAEL V (BUBBLE GANG/GMA 7)
SEF CADAYONA (BUBBLE GANG/GMA 7)
VIC SOTTO (HAY! BAHAY!/GMA 7)
WALLY BAYOLA (HAY! BAHAY! /GMA 7)

BEST COMEDY ACTRESS

AI AI DELAS ALAS (HAY! BAHAY!/GMA 7)
ANGELICA PANGANIBAN (BANANA SUNDAE/ABS-CBN 2)
CHARIZ SOLOMON (BUBBLE GANG/GMA 7)
MANILYN REYNES (PEPITO MANALOTO/GMA 7)
MUTYA ORQUIA (GOIN' BULILIT/ABS-CBN 2)
NOVA VILLA (PEPITO MANALOTO /GMA 7)
POKWANG (BANANA SUNDAE/ABS-CBN 2)
SUNSHINE GARCIA (BANANA SUNDAE/ABS-CBN 2)
TONI GONZAGA (HOME SWEETIE HOME/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW

ASAP (ABS-CBN 2)
BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY (NET 25)
LETTERS AND MUSIC (NET 25)
SESSION ON 25TH STREET (NET 25)

BEST VARIETY SHOW

FULL HOUSE TONIGHT (GMA 7)
IT'S SHOWTIME (ABS-CBN 2)
SUNDAY PINASAYA (GMA 7)

BEST FEMALE TV HOST

AMY PEREZ (IT'S SHOWTIME/ABS-CBN 2)
ANNE CURTIS (IT'S SHOWTIME/ABS-CBN 2)
JOLINA MAGDANGAL (ASAP/ABS-CBN 2)
MAINE MENDOZA (EAT BULAGA/GMA 7)
MARIAN RIVERA (SUNDAY PINASAYA/GMA 7)
NADINE LUSTRE (IT’S SHOWTIME/ABS-CBN 2)
PIA GUANIO (EAT BULAGA/GMA 7)
REGINE VELASQUEZ (FULL HOUSE TONIGHT/GMA 7)
SARAH GERONIMO (ASAP/ABS-CBN 2)
TONI GONZAGA (ASAP/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST MALE TV HOST

ALDEN RICHARDS (EAT BULAGA/GMA 7)
ALLAN K (EAT BULAGA/GMA 7)
BILLY CRAWFORD (IT'S SHOWTIME/ABS-CBN 2)
JOSE MANALO (EAT BULAGA/GMA 7)
LUIS MANZANO (ASAP/ABS-CBN 2)
PIOLO PASCUAL (ASAP/ABS-CBN 2)
ROBI DOMINGO (ASAP/ABS-CBN 2)
RYAN AGONCILLO (EAT BULAGA/GMA 7)
VIC SOTTO (EAT BULAGA/GMA 7)
VICE GANDA (IT'S SHOWTIME/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST GAME SHOW

CELEBRITY BLUFF (GMA 7)
PEOPLE VS THE STARS (GMA 7)
SUPERSTAR DUETS (GMA 7)
WOWOWIN (GMA 7)

BEST GAME SHOW HOST

EUGENE DOMINGO (CELEBRITY BLUFF/GMA 7)
IYA VILLANIA/DREW ARELLANO (PEOPLE VS THE STARS/GMA 7)
JENNYLYN MERCADO (SUPERSTAR DUETS/GMA 7)
JUDY ANN SANTOS (BET ON YOUR BABY/ABS-CBN 2)
LUIS MANZANO (MINUTE TO WIN IT/ABS-CBN 2)
MICHAEL V/IYA VILLANIA (LIP SYNC BATTLE/GMA 7)
WILLIE REVILLAME (WOWOWIN/GMA 7)

BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

AHA (GMA 7)
BORN TO BE WILD (GMA 7)
C THE DIFFERENCE (GMA NEWS TV)
CONVERGENCE (NET 25)
I-BILIB (GMA 7)
IDOL SA KUSINA (GMA 7)
MATANGLAWIN (ABS-CBN 2)
EVERYDAY SARAP WITH CDO (GMA NEWS TV)

BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM HOST

CHEF BOY LOGRO/ BETTINA CARLOS,CHYNNA ORTALEZA (IDOL SA KUSINA/GMA NEWS TV)
CHRIS TIU (I-BILIB /GMA 7)
DR. MANNY AND PIE CALAYAN (C THE DIFFERENCE/GMA NEWS TV)
DR. NEILSEN DONATO/DR. FERDS RECIO (BORN TO BE WILD/GMA 7)
DREW ARELLANO (AHA /GMA 7)
JENNYLYN MERCADO (EVERYDAY SARAP WITH CDO/GMA NEWS TV)
KIM ATIENZA (MATANGLAWIN/ABS-CBN 2)
KYLE NOFUENTE (CONVERGENCE/NET 25)

BEST CELEBRITY TALK SHOW

GANDANG GABI VICE (ABS-CBN 2)
MAGANDANG BUHAY (ABS-CBN 2)
MARS (GMA NEWS TV)
MOMENTS (NET 25)
PROFILES (CNN PHILIPPINES)
REAL TALK (CNN PHILIPPINES)
TONIGHT WITH ARNOLD CLAVIO (GMA NEWS TV)
TONIGHT WITH BOY ABUNDA (ABS-CBN 2)

BEST CELEBRITY TALK SHOW HOST

ARNOLD CLAVIO (TONIGHT WITH ARNOLD CLAVIO/GMA NEWS TV)
BOY ABUNDA (TONIGHT WITH BOY ABUNDA/ABS-CBN 2)
CAMILLE PRATS,SUZIE ENTRATA (MARS/GMA NEWS TV)
CHRISTINE JACOB-SANDEJAS/RACHEL ALEJANDRO (REAL TALK/CNN PHILIPPINES)
GLADYS REYES (MOMENTS /NET 25)
KARLA ESTRADA, JOLINA MAGDANGAL, MELAI CANTIVEROS (MAGANDANG BUHAY/ABS-CBN 2)
MITZI BORROMEO (PROFILES/CNN PHILIPPINES)
VICE GANDA (GANDANG GABI VICE/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM

FRONT ROW (GMA 7)
HISTORY (TV5)
I WITNESS (GMA 7)
INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARIES (GMA NEWS TV)
MOTORCYCLE DIARIES (GMA NEWS TV)
MUNTING PANGARAP (UNTV 37)
REEL TIME (GMA NEWS TV)
REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK (GMA 7)

BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM HOST

DANIEL RAZON (MUNTING PANGARAP /UNTV 37)
JAY TARUC (MOTOCYCLE DIARIES/GMA NEWS TV)
LOURD DE VERA (HISTORY/TV 5)
MAKI PULIDO, RAFFY TIMA (REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK/GMA 7)
MALOU MANGAHAS (INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARIES/GMA NEWS TV)
SANDRA AGUINALDO, KARA DAVID (I-WITNESS/GMA 7)

BEST DOCUMENTARY SPECIAL

ALAALA (GMA 7)
DI KA PASISIIL (ABS-CBN 2)
MUKHA: NIGHT SHIFT (ABS-CBN 2)
SERBISYONG TOTOO - NABAGO ANG BUHAY KO (GMA 7)

BEST HORROR/FANTASY PROGRAM

DAIG KAYO NG LOLA KO (GMA 7)
TSUPERHERO (GMA 7)
WANSAPANATAYM (ABS-CBN 2)

BEST MAGAZINE SHOW

ANG PINAKA (GMA NEWS TV)
BRIGADA (GMA NEWS TV)
GOOD NEWS KASAMA SI VICKY MORALES (GMA NEWS TV)
I-JUANDER (GMA NEWS TV)
KAPUSO MO JESSICA SOHO (GMA 7)
MGA KWENTO NI MARC LOGAN (ABS-CBN 2)
RATED K (ABS-CBN 2)

BEST MAGAZINE SHOW HOST

JESSICA SOHO (BRIGADA/GMA NEWS TV)
JESSICA SOHO (KAPUSO MO JESSICA SOHO/GMA 7)
KORINA SANCHEZ (RATED K/ABS-CBN 2)
MARC LOGAN (MGA KWENTO NI MARC LOGAN/ABS-CBN 2)
ROVILSON FERNANDEZ (ANG PINAKA/GMA NEWS TV)
SUSAN ENRIQUEZ/CESAR APOLINARIO (I-JUANDER/GMA NEWS TV)
VICKY MORALES/BEA BINENE/ LOVE AÑOVER (GOOD NEWS KASAMA SI VICKY MORALES/GMA NEWS TV)

BEST NEWS PROGRAM

24 ORAS (GMA 7)
AKSYON PRIME (TV 5)
BALITAAN (CNN PHILIPPINES)
BANDILA (ABS-CBN 2)
NEWS TO GO (GMA NEWS TV)
SAKSI (GMA 7)
STATE OF THE NATION (GMA NEWS TV)
TV PATROL (ABS-CBN 2)

BEST MALE NEWSCASTER

ARNOLD CLAVIO (SAKSI/GMA 7)
HOWIE SEVERINO (NEWS TO GO/GMA NEWS TV)
JULIUS BABAO (BANDILA/ABS-CBN 2)
MIKE ENRIQUEZ (24 ORAS/GMA 7)
NOLI DE CASTRO (TV PATROL/ABS-CBN 2)
RAFFY TIMA (BALITANGHALI/GMA NEWS TV)
TED FAILON (TV PATROL/ABS-CBN 2)

BEST FEMALE NEWSCASTER

BERNADETTE SEMBRANO (TV PATROL/ABS-CBN 2)
CES DRILON (BANDILA/ABS-CBN 2)
JESSICA SOHO (STATE OF THE NATION/GMA NEWS TV)
KARA DAVID (NEWS TO GO/GMA NEWS TV)
KAREN DAVILA (BANDILA/ABS-CBN 2)
LUCHI CRUZ VALDES (AKSYON PRIME/TV 5)
MEL TIANGCO (24 ORAS/GMA 7)
PIA ARCANGHEL (SAKSI/GMA 7)
VICKY MORALES (24 ORAS/GMA 7)

BEST MORNING SHOW

BAGONG PILIPINAS (PTV 4)
GOOD MORNING KUYA (UNTV)
PAMBANSANG ALMUSAL (NET 25)
UMAGANG KAY GANDA (ABS-CBN 2)
UNANG HIRIT (GMA 7)

BEST MORNING SHOW HOST

ANTHONY TABERNA,JORGE CARIÑO,ATOM ARAULLO,AMY PEREZ, WINNIE CORDERO, ARIEL URETA (UMAGANG KAY GANDA/ABS-CBN 2)
DANIEL RAZON ,LORENZO "ERIN" TAÑADA III,ANGELO "DIEGO" CASTRO III,ANGELA LAGUNZAD, RHEENA VILLAMOR-CAMARA, MONICA VERALLO, ERICA HONRADO, (GOOD MORNING KUYA/UNTV 37)
DIANE MEDINA, JULES GUIANG, KARLA PADERNA, DIANE QUERER, GRECO BELGICA ( BAGONG PILIPINAS /PTV 4)
LEO MARTINEZ, PHOEBE ANN PUBLICO, ANDREA BARDOS, NICOLE FACAL, JAM TALANA, GENIVE TUBAN, JULIE FERNANDO, CLAIRE CUENCA, DAVEY LANGIT, AIKEE, APPLE CHIU, BOB CRISOSTOMO, CJ PANULAYA (PAMBANSANG ALMUSAL/NET 25)
NATHANIEL CRUZ, ARNOLD CLAVIO, LYN CHING, LHAR SANTIAGO, SUSAN ENRIQUEZ, CONNIE SISON PIA ARCANGHEL, SUZIE ENTRATA, IVAN MAYRINA, LOVE AÑOVER (UNANG HIRIT/GMA 7)

BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM

BAWAL ANG PASAWAY KAY MARENG WINNIE (GMA NEWS TV)
GET IT STRAIGHT (UNTV 37)
REAKSYON (TV 5)
SA GANANG MAMAMAYAN (NET 25)
TAPATAN NI TUNYING (ABS-CBN 2)
THE BOTTOMLINE WITH BOY ABUNDA (ABS-CBN 2)
THE SOURCE (CNN PHILIPPINES)

BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM HOST

ANTHONY TABERNA (TAPATAN NI TUNYING/ABS-CBN 2)
BOY ABUNDA (THE BOTTOMLINE WITH BOY ABUNDA/ABS-CBN 2)
DANIEL RAZON (GET IT STRAIGHT/UNTV 37)
LUCHI CRUZ VALDES (REAKSYON/TV 5)
PINKY WEBB (THE SOURCE/CNN PHILIPPINES)
RODANTE MARCOLETA (SA GANANG MAMAMAYAN/NET 25)
WINNIE MONSOD (BAWAL ANG PASAWAY KAY MARENG WINNIE/GMA NEWS TV)

BEST TRAVEL SHOW

BIYAHE NI DREW (GMA NEWS TV)
BIYAHENG NEGOSYO (PTV 4)
BRIDGING BORDERS (PTV 4)
LAKBAI (TV 5)
LANDMARKS (NET 25)
ROAD TRIP (GMA NEWS TV)

BEST TRAVEL SHOW HOST

BASTE DUTERTE (LAKBAI/TV5)
DREW ARELLANO (BYAHE NI DREW/GMA NEWS TV)
FAYE DE CASTRO (LANDMARKS/NET 25)
JUSTIN LEE (BIYAHENG NEGOSYO/PTV 4)
VERONICA BALUYUT JIMENEZ (BRIDGING BORDERS/PTV 4)

BEST LIFESTYLE SHOW

LEADING WOMEN (CNN PHILIPPINES)
SPORTS U (ABS-CBN 2)
TASTE BUDDIES (GMA NEWS TV)
THE BOARDROOM (CNN PHILIPPINES)
THE WORLD OF GANDANG RICKY REYES (GMA NEWS TV)

BEST LIFESTYLE SHOW HOST

ANGEL JACOB (LEADING WOMEN/CNN PHILIPPINES)
ANTHONY PANGILINAN (THE BOARDROOM/CNN PHILIPPINES
DYAN CASTILLEJO (SPORTS U/ABS-CBN 2)
RICKY REYES (THE WORLD OF GANDANG RICKY REYES/GMA NEWS TV)
SOLENN HEUSSAFF, RHIAN RAMOS (TASTE BUDDIES/GMA NEWS TV)

BEST TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM

#LIKE (GMA 7)
ASOP (UNTV 37)

BEST TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM HOST

BILLY CRAWFORD (YOUR FACE SOUNDS FAMILIAR KIDS/ABS CBN 2)
LUIS MANZANO/TONI GONZAGA (THE VOICE TEENS/ABS CBN 2)
ROBI DOMINGO/ALEX GONZAGA (I CAN DO THAT/ABS CBN 2)
TOM RODRIGUEZ/BALANG (# LIKE/GMA 7)
TONI ROSE GAYDA, RICHARD REYNOSO (ASOP/UNTV 37)

SPECIAL AWARDS:

ADING FERNANDO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

VIC SOTTO

EXCELLENCE IN BROADCASTING

MARTIN ANDANAR

LONGEST RUNNING DAYTIME DRAMA ANTHOLOGY

MAYNILA

GERMAN MORENO POWER TANDEM

JOSHLIA (JOSHUA GARCIA AND JULIA BARRETTO)
JAKBIE (JAK ROBERTO AND BARBIE FORTEZA

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Are advertisers satisfied with the dubious TV ratings system?

First Word
BY the rules of contemporary journalism, the report that US President Donald Trump called Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th “a little narco” should now be classified as a factoid.

According to Norman Mailer, who coined the term, a factoid is a fact that had no existence before appearing in a newspaper or magazine. The “little narco” comment has now appeared in several newspapers and been broadcast on TV and radio.

What makes things worse for Trillanes is that there is plausible corroboration from recent historical records.

During the 2016 US presidential campaign, the presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, exchanged insulting words.

Trump attacked the Florida senator via Twitter: “Little Marco Rubio is just another Washington D.C. politician that is all talk and no action.”

Rubio replied in kind: “Trump is always calling me Little Marco. And I’ll admit he’s taller than me. He’s like 6’2”, which is why I don’t understand why his hands are the size of someone who is 5’2”.”

When Trillanes joined Marco Rubio in Washington for a cabal, little did he know that he was linking with a kindred soul.

When Trump touches down in Manila next week to attend the Asean and East Asia summits, Filipino media will doubtless bring up the “little narco” comment with him and his media staff.

The “little narco” quip, says one report in the Bulletin, was made when Trump was asked by an embedded reporter on Air Force One about Senator Trillanes’ meeting with Senator Rubio.

Based on the source who flew with Trump going home from an official function in Texas, President Trump considered Trillanes a virtual nobody.

Said Trump: “Senator who? Like I said senator who? The li’l narco who met Marco? How did he get a visa? Isn’t he wanted, doesn’t he have an arrest warrant or something?”

Trillanes must console himself with the thought that the brand, which will now tail him everywhere he goes, was stamped on him by a US president.

Are TV ratings fake?
Mainstream media, both broadcast and print, would have a fighting chance of surviving the communications revolution and the onslaughts of online media, if they will only return to the fount of their service to society: reporting the truth of events and developments, and transparency about their own operations.

The point was impressed on me during a conversation with a foreign corporate executive, who asked me 1) why our top TV networks present different and contrasting TV ratings regarding their audience share; and2) why there is still no accredited Audit Bureau of Circulation to authenticate the circulations of local newspapers.

His point is unavoidable. The stakes are very high, running into billions of pesos, particularly in advertising revenues for broadcast media, which is the most dominant and profitable in the country. The value in terms of media’s prestige as a social institution is incalculable, because media, especially print, has constitutional protection.

Newspapers can more easily roll with the problem, because their revenue share is modest compared to the broadcast networks. Their bigger problem is the pervasive erosion of their business by the flight of readers and clients to the Internet.

This week, the nation was treated to the annual ritual of both ABS-CBN and GMA simultaneously boasting that they have respectively won the ratings war against each other, and over the smaller TV networks in the country.

Is it comprehensible for each of them to be on top of the totem pole, and claim bragging rights?

What special manipulation do their favorite market researchers perform so each can claim supremacy?

The question is in order because the market researchers, Kantar Media and AGB Nielsen, have not wavered one bit from their predestined findings, year after year after year.

ABS-CBN triumphant

ABS-CBN of the Lopez Group was the first to announce its victory. It said that it posted an average national audience share of 46 percent in October, up 23 percent compared with rival GMA Network Inc. with 33 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

ABS-CBN took the lead in all territories, including Mega Manila where it scored an average audience share of 36 percent against GMA’s 34 percent, and in Metro Manila with 41 percent against GMA’s 27 percent.

ABS-CBN also won in Total Luzon with 43 percent compared with GMA’s 34 percent, in Total Visayas with 53 percent against GMA’s 28 percent and in Total Mindanao with 50 percent against GMA’s 33 percent.

ABS-CBN also led other networks across all time blocks in October, including the morning block, where it scored an average audience share of 39 percent against GMA’s 32 percent.

Nine of the 11 most watched programs nationwide in October also belong to ABS-CBN, led by the long-running police drama FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, which recorded a national TV rating of 39.9 percent.

Variety show It’s Showtime, is still the most watched noontime show in the country with a national TV rating of 35.2% on weekdays and 29.5% on Saturdays, against its rival Eat Bulaga which only got 39% on weekdays and 24.2% on Saturdays, ABS-CBN said.

Also in the top 10 were Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin, ASAP, Banana Sundae, Pusong Ligaw, The Promise of Forever, Ipaglaban Mo, TV Patrol, La Luna Sangre, The Good Son, Tonight with Boy Abunda, Bandila, Little Big Shots, I Can See Your Voice, Rated K, Gandang Gabi Vice, Wildflower, Wansapanataym, MMK, Home Sweetie Home and Goin Bulilit.

As of mid-September, ABS-CBN said it sold 3.6 million units of its TVplus digital service, helping drive its terrestrial television penetration in Metro Manila. One in 2 homes in the area have TVplus, according to Kantar.

ABS-CBN also offers content online through iWant TV. The top five most watched programs on the platform in October were La Luna Sangre, Wildflower, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Pusong Ligaw, and The Good Son.

GMA’s victory

GMA, for its part, reported that it maintained its supremacy in the nationwide television ratings competition in October based on data from Nielsen Phils. TV audience measurement.

According to GMA, its ratings in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) posted an average total day people audience share of 41.7 percent from October 1 to 28, higher compared with ABS-CBN’s 38.1 percent.

The network also registered winning numbers across all day parts in NUTAM. In the morning block, GMA registered a 38.5 percent people audience share versus ABS-CBN’s 35.9 percent.

In the afternoon line-up, GMA dominated its time block with 45.4 percent as against ABS-CBN’s 37.5 percent. Subsequently, the evening block was also ruled by GMA with 40.2 percent versus the competition’s 39.4 percent.

GMA also beat its rival in Urban Luzon where it had an audience share of 47.2 percent compared to ABS-CBN’s 32.6 percent.

As for Mega Manila, GMA stayed ahead of competition with an audience share of 48.8 percent compared to ABS-CBN’s 29.3 percent.

More Kapuso shows are in the list of top programs in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement.

Pepito Manaloto is the most-watched program for October, also making in the list are Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, 24 Oras, Magpakailanman, Celebrity Bluff, Super Maam, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, 24 Oras Weekend, All-Star Videoke and Alyas Robin Hood.

Also making to the list are the most-watched programs are Wowowin, Ika-6 na Utos, My Korean Jagiya, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Imbestigador, Eat Bulaga, Sunday Pinasaya, Dear Uge, Impostora, Haplos and Tadhana.

Further, GMA’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB was also hailed as the listeners’ number one choice in Mega Manila proving GMA’s dominance both in TV and radio.

Based on the latest data from Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement, DZBB garnered a total day average audience share of 32.3 percent in October, which toppled DZMM’s 27.5 percent and DWWW’s 12.6 percent.

The market researchers

These perplexing ratings reports prompted me to look up the credentials of the market researchers who did the survey research.

Kantar Media Research, which did the survey favoring ABS-CBN, is a market research firm in the Philippines specializing in broadcast media. Kantar Media is responsible for audience measurement of television ratings for the entire Philippines.

As of 2017, Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 3,500 urban and rural households, with a respondent base of 10,000 individuals that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

The panel reports on seven sectors, namely National Capital Region, Suburbs, North Luzon, Central Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

AGB Nielsen Media Research, or AGB Nielsen, is a market research firm in the Philippines specializing in broadcast media. AGB Nielsen conducts audience measurem ent of television ratings for certain areas in the Philippines, most notably in urban areas.

As of 2013, AGB Nielsen uses a panel size of 1,980 households based solely in urban areas that represent 57 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

In October 2006, AGB Nielsen established the Philippines’ first national television audience measurement panel called the “Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM)” that covered 95 percent of urban areas in the country.

On December 20, 2007, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. filed a civil case against AGB Nielsen after ABS-CBN discovered alleged tampering in the ratings in Bacolod. The next day, ABS-CBN reported through their AM station DZMM that AGB Nielsen pointed to GMA Network as the one behind the manipulation of ratings in Bacolod. On January 3, 2008, GMA filed a P15 million libel suit against ABS-CBN and some of its employees. On January 7, 2008, the Quezon City regional trial court (RTC) junked ABS-CBN’s case against AGB Nielsen saying it was “prematurely filed” before the court.

Why isn’t there one TV ratings system in the country that regularly and methodically measure the audience ratings of specific shows and networks? Why are the two measures providing persistently contrasting results.

Why is it that in the US we are informed every month how specific programs and shows and networks outperform one another, even with particular audience segments?

Surely, this is not the fault of Filipino audiences?

The simple answer is that the ratings are being produced by the market researchers on demand by the TV networks. There is plenty of money in this transactional arrangement.

Advertisers’ satisfaction ratings

It struck me while puzzling over the TV ratings maze, that there is one worthwhile satisfaction survey that the Social Weather Stations should be commissioned to conduct as a service to the Filipino public and the business community.

SWS should survey the legions of TV advertisers, big and small, that advertise at great cost on the leading broadcast networks, ABS-CBN and GMA. It should ask companies one by one whether they are satisfied with, or find credible, the TV ratings system that each network parades as proof that it is on top.

yenmakabenta@yahoo.com

Two solons urge MRT3 privatization

Two solons sought the privatization of the operations and management of the MRT3 following the numerous breakdowns it had recently.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian sought for the complete privatization of the operations and management of the trouble-plagued Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 that runs from North SM EDSA, Quezon city to Avenue in Pasay city.

“Government is a poor operations manager. Time and time again, we have seen how poorly government operates a business endeavor,’’ Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate economic affairs, issued the statement after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) officially terminated Monday its contract with its service provider Busan Universal Mail Inc. (BURI) because of alleged BURIs’ poor performance.

The DOTr said the Philippine National Railways (PNR) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) would provide sufficient technical support and expertise for the smooth transition of MRT-3 maintenance work.

Gatchalian cited the cases of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the various airports in the country, where government performance leaves much to be desired.

DOTr Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said there are three international firms that have signified intention to be the next service provider of MRT-3.These are Sumitomo Corporation of Japan; SMRT Corporation of Singapore; and RAPT Development, the service provider of LRT System Line 1.

“Sumitomo is a world-class and experienced company,’’ Gatchalian said.

Under the Aquino administration, DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) officials threw out its contract with Sumitomo and entered into an agreement with APT Global corporation where one of its board of directors was related to a DOTC official.

After rescinding the contract with APT Global, DOTC awarded the service contract to BURI.

Gatchalian said that it is ‘’about time to kick out BURI.’’

Meanwhile a House leader renewed his call to privatize the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 to make it more reliable and efficient in delivering services to about half a million passengers a day.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to ensure that the operations and services of the MRT 3 will be improved following its decision to terminate the maintenance contract with the Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI).

“The DOTr should should present to Congress with a viable alternative, if any, now that it has terminated its maintenance contract with BURI. DOTr should show and convince the public that MRT 3 will not further deteriorate its services without a maintenance provider,” he said.

“Now that BURI has vowed to question the termination in court, the legal tussle between the two parties might drag on for months or years which may put MRT 3 services is jeopardy,” he expressed concern.

He expressed hope that the DOTr made a fair-and-square decision when it decided to terminate the contract and to take over the maintenance of the MRT 3.

“Hopefully, the termination is not designed to just eased out BURI and replaced it with a favored maintenance provider,” he said.

According to reports, the government will in the meantime, take over the maintenance services of MRT 3.

“The question is: are there competent technical people that can immediately takeover the maintenance of MRT 3? Second, how long can the government procure all the necessary parts needed to maintain MRT 3 given the very tedious procurement process under Republic Act 9184, or the procurement law,” Evardone, chairman of the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries pointed out.

He said the DOTr should allay the fears of the public and convince them that with the termination of the maintenance contract, the MRT 3 services will substantially improve to alleviate the plight of the riding public.

“I still maintain that the best option is to totally privatized the MRT 3 to make it more efficient,” he said.

Evardone earlier called on Congress to support the bid of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. to buy out the 77 percent stake of the government in MRT 3.

Metro Pacific chair Manuel V. Pangilinan earlier said they are “prepared” to do the buy-out and rehabilitate and upgrade the MRT-3, which may cost some P12.5 billion

He said no formal offer has been made, and there was no final amount yet.

“To me, this is the best solution to improve the services of MRT 3. MRT 3 should be privatized to make it more efficient as a public mass transport system,” Evardone said..

He also proposed that Congress should immediately pass the bill seeking to establish a single regulatory body for all mass transit facilities. The measure was filed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Ilang proyekto ng pamahalaan, inaasahang matatapos sa susunod na taon

Inaasahang matatapos sa 2018 o sa susunod na taon ang ilang infrastructure projects sa ilalim ng Buid Build Build Program ng Duterte Admnistration.

Kabilang dito ang Cavite Gateway Terminal, Southwest Intermodal Transport Exchange, New Bohol Airport-Panglao, Mactan-Cebu International Airport at ang Light Rail Transit (LRT) 2 East Extension Project.

Nuong Abril matatandaang pinangunahan ng DOTr ang ground breaking ng Cavite Gateway Terminal, ang kauna unahang barge terminal sa bansa kung saan inaasahan pag natapos ang proyekto ay ay mababawasan ang mga dumadaang truck sa Metro Manila.

Dumadaan din sa imporovement & modernization ang ilang pantalan sa bansa tulad ng Iloilo, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Basco, Bataraza, Calapan, Catagbacan, Dapitan, Larena, Legazpi, Makar, Matnog, Opol, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tubigon, Iligan at Surigao port.

Tuloy tuloy din ang paggawa sa LRT-1 Cavite Extension project maging ang LRT-2 kung saan hanggang Antipolo na ang magiging byahe nito.

Maliban dito, isinusulong din ng DOTr ang pagkakaroon ng subway system sa bansa kung saan inaasahang uumpisahan ang konstruksyon nito sa 2019 at matatapos sa 2025.

Transforming celebrities one eyebrow at a time

Rachelle Ann Go (right) with Jane Pecson

Jane Pecson of Fleek Eyebrow & Beauty Clinic said the trend of having brows on fleek has seen her clinic enjoy increasing demand and flourishing clientele including celebrities.

Some of the famous ones are Kristel Fulgar, MYX VJ, host and model Sunshine Kim, Barbie Imperial, Karen Reyes, Nikki Bagaporo, Nicole Estrada and international singer Rachelle Ann Go.

“Uso ngayon ’yung mga thick eyebrows partly because of international celebrities like the Kardashians and model and actress Cara Delevingne. Now the trend is thick eyebrows pero hindi ’yung ang kapal kapal ng kilay but in a natural way,” explained Jane.

She added that her clinic uses the micro-blading technique. Also popular nowadays are Feather Brows and Bold Brows.

“Our artistas love this look because it looks more natural compared to the old fashion tattoo,” shared Jane.

Fleek has branches at MPlace Mall, SM Mall of Asia and Mega Plaza, Ortigas. Already a year in the business, Jane revealed its plan to open five branches of Fleek clinic every year.

• • •

Special event

Mhelwin Jeremae Rapadas, model of designer Christian Albert Fider

A special event was held recently at Kalye Crisologo in Vigan City, spearheaded by Mayor Juan Carlo Medina. The event was the World Costume Festival 2017 (Vigan and Luzon Leg). Popular designers from the Ilocos region and Pangasinan showcased their fabulous designs through their models who paraded on the ramp.

One of the designers was Christian Albert Fider who’s the pride of Tayug, Pangasinan. Sunflower-inspired gowns were worn by models Mhelwin Rapadas and James Cabote. Christian has been designing and competing in various fashion competitions for the last five years.

• • •

ABS-CBN, GMA contest ratings lead in October

ABS-CBN Corp. maintained its leadership in nationwide television ratings in October, while GMA Network Inc. claimed it won the ratings game in urban households.

In a statement, ABS-CBN said it had an average national audience share of 46 percent in October, higher than GMA’s 33 percent based on data from multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media.

Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural households to represent the total Philippine TV viewing population.

The Kapamilya network said it dominated all time blocks for October.

In particular, ABS-CBN won in the primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 midnight) as it got a 50 percent audience share, ahead of GMA’s 31 percent.

The primetime block is considered the most important part of the day for advertisers as this is when most Filipinos watch TV.

In Mega Manila, ABS-CBN had an average audience share of 36 percent versus GMA’s 34 percent, while it had a higher audience share of 41 percent compared to GMA’s 27 percent in Metro Manila.

Nine of the 11 most watched programs nationwide in October also belong to ABS-CBN, led by the long-running police drama FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, which recorded a national TV rating of 39.9 percent.

Also in the top 10 were Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin, It’s Showtime, ASAP, Pusong Ligaw, The Promise of Forever, Ipaglaban Mo, TV Patrol, La Luna Sangre, The Good Son, Tonight with Boy Abunda, Little Big Shots, I Can See Your Voice, Wildflower, Wansapanataym, MMK, Home Sweetie Home and Goin Bulilit.

As of mid-September, ABS-CBN said it sold 3.6 million units of its TVplus digital service, helping drive its terrestrial television penetration in Metro Manila. One in 2 homes in the area have TVplus, according to Kantar.

ABS-CBN also offers content online through iWant TV. The top five most watched programs on the platform in October were La Luna Sangre, Wildflower, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Pusong Ligaw, and The Good Son.

Meanwhile, GMA said in a statement it got a higher average total day audience share of 41.7 percent for the period of Oct.1 to 28 compared with ABS-CBN’s 38.1 percent, based on Nielsen Philippines TV Audience Measurement’s National Urban TV Audience Measurement (NUTAM).

GMA said it also ruled across all day parts in NUTAM as it got a 38.5 percent people audience share as compared to ABS-CBN’s 35.9 percent in the morning block, a 45.4 percent audience share as against ABS-CBN’s 37.5 percent in the afternoon block, and 40.2 percent audience share versus ABS-CBN’s 39.4 percent share in the evening block.

GMA also beat its rival in Urban Luzon where it had an audience share of 47.2 percent compared to ABS-CBN’s 32.6 percent.

As for Mega Manila, GMA stayed ahead of competition with an audience share of 48.8 percent compared to ABS-CBN’s 29.3 percent.

More Kapuso shows are in the list of top programs in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement.

Pepito Manaloto is the most-watched program for October, also making in the list are Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, 24 Oras, Magpakailanman, Celebrity Bluff, Super Maam, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, 24 Oras Weekend, All-Star Videoke and Alyas Robin Hood.

Also making to the list are the most-watched programs are Wowowin, Ika-6 na Utos, My Korean Jagiya, Bubble Gang, Wish Ko Lang, Imbestigador, Eat Bulaga, Sunday Pinasaya, Impostora, Haplos and Tadhana.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 7, go to Gen. Ernesto Mata, Annabel Santiago, Alice Bernal, Erwin Tagle, Coke Nicolás, Roberto Castro, Rommel Gumatay, Dennis Odessa, Claudio Sapo Rapadas, Mickie Joy Hyatt, ABS-CBN’s Aaron Domingo, Maricar de Mesa, and QC Councilor Mayen Juico… Nov. 8: Basil Valdez, Deo Endrinal, Teresita Guiao, Joel Atencio, Jocelyn Poon, Gabriel Ripollet, Lou de Guzman, Karla Pizarro, Venida Viernes, Boysie Agustín, Aida Martínez, Hazel Cabrera, Oliver Volante, and Lauren Young… Condolence to the family of colleague Vir Mateo who died Oct. 26 and was cremated on Nov. 5 and Isabelle Granada who died Nov. 5…