tuesday, march 3, 2015

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015 VOL. 33 NO. 62 ISSN 0116-3973
HHHHH
NoKor warns of
‘merciless strikes’
‘WALANG
BINULSA’
5
BIFF
bomb
factory
falls
3
Toddler
raped by
mother’s
lover
3
Kris defends PNoy
KRIS AQUINO
PAGE 2
BIFF uses SAF weapons vs AFP
Kia vs Alaska
Girl, 7,
found
dead
4
16
Fire put
out after
50 hours
4
3
Jolo Revilla
in ICU after
surgery 9
‘Focus’ tops
US box office
with $19.1M
Looking for Iza
10
9
IN THIS photo taken Feb. 28, government forces of the 6th Infantry Division fire a105 Howitzer cannon
in Maguindanao, Southern Philippines. The Philippine military is trying to capture a bombmaker it
believes is being ‘coddled’ by Filipino militants who have pledged loyalty to Islamic State, authorities
said. (AFP)
For reactions or comments: [email protected] or [email protected]
2
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
Kris comes to
defense of PNoy
By FRANCIS WAKEFIELD
Television host and actress Kris
Aquino has come to the defense
of embattled President Aquino,
saying his brother brought progress to the nation.
“Hindi siya perpekto, si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino inalagaan at
pinalago ang kaban ng bayan.
Walang binulsa,” said the outspoken Presidential sister in
her speech before members of
the Quezon City Police District
(QCPD).
Kris spoke during the occasion
marking the 2015 National Women’s Month.
Calls for the President’s resignation have snowballed following
the deaths of 44 police commandos last Jan. 25 in Mamasapano,
Maguindanao.
Kris said their family will weather the storm of criticisms.
“But just like I text PNoy on
his birthday, lahat ng masasakit
na salita and personal na pambabatikos, hindi ko lang haharapin
kungdi buong tapang kong ipamumuka na hindi nila kami
mabubuwag,” she said. “Pamilya kaming nagmamahalan. At
taas noo, kaya kong ipagmalaki
sa lahat na ang kuya ko, tapat,
maka-tao, hindi mapang abuso,
humble, sincere and above all
else, trustworthy.”
The 44-year-old Kris said there
were nights that she was crying
over the bashing his brother has
been getting over the alleged
mishandling of the operation.
She admitted that the past
month has been the most challenging in Aquino’s presidency.
“It was a difficult time for all
of us, and there were nights I’d
be crying while texting with my
Kuya. Meron akong isang post
na nakita, nasa kabaong sya, si
PNoy at umiiyak ako—phinotoshop yun from the time our mom
was in Manila Cathedral. I told my
brother, napakahirap ang manahimik lalo na pag ang mahal mo
sa buhay ang winawalanghya,”
Kris said.
“Simple ang sagot ng Kuya ko,
Kristina pag lumabas ang katotohanan, titigil na rin sila,” she
added.
Kris told the crowd, led by Chief
Supt. Joel D. Pagdilao, QCPD director, that it is not easy being the
sister of a sitting President than
being a daughter of the late former President Corazon Aquino.
“Hindi madali maging bunsong
kapatid ng pangulo, mas mahirap
kumpara sa panahon na bunsong
anak ako ng pangulo. You may
ask me why? Because our mother
was our strength, our shield, and
our protector. That’s why I’m here
in front of all of you today. Because I am a product of a woman
of courage,” Aquino said.
During the occasion, the QCPD,
through the QCPD Women’s and
Children Protection Desk under
Inspector Edith Castro, also gave
recognition to deserving PNP personnel, Quezon City Protection
Center, Social Services Development Department (SSDD), as
part of Women’s Month.
Lani stays strong for Jolo
Actress-politician Lani Mercado is keeping strong
amid difficulties hounding her family.
With her husband Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla,
Jr. still detained on plunder and graft charges; her
son Cavite Vice Governor Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III
was rushed to the Asian Hospital and Medical Center
in Muntinlupa City over the weekend for sustaining
what has been reported as a self-inflicted gunshot
wound.
The Senator’s talent manager Lolit Solis told Manila Bulletin that Mercado is simply “trying to be
tough.”
“Ang bigat-bigat ng nangyayari na ’to na wala si
Bong, pero siya ’yung parang nagsisilbing pader ng
pamilya,” she said.
Solis went on to clarify her earlier statement
about the 26-year-old politician-actor going through
an “emotional phase” in life.
“Wala naman akong sinasabi na (suicide attempt
iyon). Ang sabi ko lang, alam ko may pinagdadaanan si Jolo. Hindi ko alam kung self inflicted ’yun.
Hindi ko nga alam kung aksidente o whatever but I
know he’s going through a very emotional phase,”
she stressed.
She believes that Mercado’s constant prayers has
helped her son, who is now in stable condition.
Earlier, family lawyer Atty. Raymond Fortun said
the young Revilla accidentally pulled the trigger of a
gun he was cleaning at their house in Ayala Alabang
on Feb. 27.
His girlfriend, actress Jodi Sta. Maria was said to
have stayed at the actor’s side since he was admit-
LANI Mercado
ted to the hospital. She’s since been posting Biblical
passages on her social networking accounts.
Though the young Revilla remains in the intensive
care unit (ICU) as of this writing, the family hopes
to transfer him to a regular room soon.
Meanwhile, the senator is hoping to visit his son
on Tuesday when the Sandiganbayan grants his motion for a 24-hour furlough, Solis shared. (Michael
Joe T. Delizo)
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
3
BIFF bomb factory falls
Soldiers seized a bomb factory bombs such as mortar fuses,
during an assault on a Bangsamoro ammonium nitrate, blasting caps,
I s l a m i c F r e e d o m F i g h t e r s and tie wires.
stronghold in Mamasapano,
Meanwhile, Col. Restituto
Maguindanao Sunday.
Padilla, Armed Forces spokesman,
Col. Melquiades Feliciano,
commander of the Army
601st Infantry Brigade that
spearheaded the offensive
operations against the bandits,
said that his troops captured
the BIFF encampment in
Barangay Dasikil.
The area, which is being
used for the manufacture
of improvised bombs, is
reportedly owned by a BIFF
leader named Mohammad Ali
Tambako, who is said to be
one of the coddlers of wanted
Filipino bomb expert Abdul
Basit Usman.
Feliciano said that
Tambako had carried out
MAP of Mamasapano, Maguindanao
violent atrocities against
civilians in Maguindanao and confirmed the reported sightings
North Cotabato.
of Usman in Mamasapano.
“The enemy was able to escape
He said that the information
but the equipment and materials about Usman was relayed to
that are used to fabricate home- soldiers by their informants on
made bombs were left behind,” the ground.
said Feliciano.
“The latest information was
Among the items recovered over the weekend, last Saturday
were vital components for making during the operation wherein
three of his (Usman’s) Tausug
lieutenants were reported killed,”
according to Padilla.
Feliciano said that Usman is
currently coddled by small bands
of notorious bandits from
two different BIFF groups
and identified Tambako
and another BIFF leader
named Kagi Karialan as
his protectors. Karialan
reportedly has at least 100
followers.
“He (Karialan) led
the attack on Moro
Islamic Liberation Front
communities and civilian
communities nearby in
Kabasalan and Bulol, both
in Pikit, North Cotabato in
two separate occasions,
displacing at least 25,000
people,” according to the
601st IB commander.
The military said
several tipsters have spotted
Usman in the bailiwicks of his two
cohorts.
Five foreigners who are believed
to be members of international
terrorist organization Jemaah
Islamiyah were also reportely seen
moving with Usman as they evaded
their pursuers. (Elena L. Aben)
Mental hospital chief dismissed
The Ombudsman has dismissed
Bernardino Vicente, chief of the
National Center for Mental Health in
Mandaluyong City, from the service
for ignoring the implementation of
a directive.
Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales said that in September
2008, the anti-graft body issued
a suspension order against Clarita
Aguilar, NCMH administrative
chief. As head of the hospital,
Morales said Vicente was directed
to implement the preventive
suspension order.
In August 2009, the
Ombudsman denied Aguilar’s
motion for reconsideration and
Vicente was again directed to
implement the order and submit
proof of compliance.
The Ombudsman’s legal affairs
office informed Vicente in a letter
in June 2010 that the suspension
order is “immediately executory
and that failure to enforce the
order is a ground for disciplinary
action.”
Eventually, in September 2010,
Aguilar was found guilty of violating
the Code of Conduct and Ethical
Standards for Public Officials and
Employees and suspended for one
year without pay.
Aguilar’s appeal was denied in
October 2010 and again, Morales
said Vicente failed to comply
with the directive. Moreover, she
said Vicente allowed Aguilar to
avail herself of housing privileges
during the period of preventive
suspension.
The Ombudsman resolution
stated that “records show
that respondent, despite the
repeated directive from this office,
deliberately failed to implement the
preventive suspension of Aguilar”
demonstrating Vicente’s “willful and
flagrant disregard of established
rule.” (Jun Ramirez)
Toddler raped in Marikina
A 27-year-old jobless man
was arrested for allegedly raping
the one-year-old daughter of his
live-in partner in Marikina City
Sunday.
Police identified the suspect
as Tito Royol Jr. of Camarines
Sur and Lakandula St., Barangay
Parang. Rape charges have been
filed against him before the city
prosecutor’s office.
Police said that based on the
statement of the victim’s mother,
she noticed that her daughter
was anxious and kept on crying
at 2 a.m. She changed her diaper
but noticed that the private part
of her daughter was swollen.
She went to her neighbor who
has a daughter with the same
age as hers to compare their
private parts but she noticed
that only her daughter’s was
entirely swollen and with spots
of blood.
Police said the mother of the
victim took her daughter to the
Amang Rodriguez Medical Center
in Marikina for checkup. Doctors
discovered lacerations on the
victim’s private parts indicating
that she was raped.
Royol was arrested after
he was accused by his live in
partner of raping her daughter.
(Madelynne Dominguez)
MORE NEWS
Gov’t worker wins R50M
A 59-year-old government worker from Leyte won the R50-million
jackpot in the Ultra Lotto 6/58 draw on February 22. The first ever
6/58 jackpot winner matched the winning numbers 47-5-17-16-57-58.
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office acting Chairman Jose Ferdinand
M. Rojas said the winner, married with six children, claimed his prize
at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City on February 26. (Edd
K. Usman)
Fire ends after 50 hours
The Quezon City Fire Department said yesterday that the fire that
hit a commercial building on Araneta Ave., Quezon City has been
put out after almost 50 hours. Fire Supt. Jesus Fernandez, Quezon
City fire marshal, said that the fire at the seven-story Gateway 2000
Development Corp. was declared fire out at about 1:45 a.m. yesterday.
However, one person, identified as Senior SFO1 Ohesio Asoy Jr., was
injured and taken to the Del Mundo Hospital for sustaining burns on
his face while fighting the blaze. (Francis T. Wakefield)
Student stabbed in QC
A 14-year-old second-year high school student was wounded after
she was allegedly stabbed by a 17-year-old first-year college student
in Quezon City Sunday, police said yesterday. Reports reaching the
Quezon City Police District Station 6 said the victim was a student of
Barangay Bagong Silangan High School. The suspect was arrested and
turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for
counseling. Supt. Segundo Lagundi Jr., QCPD Station 6 commander,
said that based on reports he received, the incident happened at about
7 p.m. in front of the Barangay Bagong Silangan Plaza on Villamor
St. (Francis T. Wakefield)
Cavite cop in hot water
A 28-year-old policeman was arrested for indiscriminately firing his
service firearm on February 28 in Sta. Ana, Manila. Police identified
the suspect as PO1 Rafael Gregor Alanib, assigned to the mobile
patrol unit of the Cavite provincial police office. Complainant Andres
J. Bareno, treasurer of Barangay 790, Zone 86, said he and some
friends were watching a movie outside his home when a crying child
arrived. Bareno said a few moments after the child arrived, Alanib
came onboard a motorcycle and fired at them. Bareno reported the
incident to police who arrested the suspect and recovered his service
firearm with 11 bullets. (Jenny F. Manongdo)
Ex-inmate gunned down
A 26-year-old man recently released from jail was gunned down in
Marikina City Sunday. Police identified the victim as Arvin C. Caba of
Alley Road, Concepion Dos. PO2 Kerwin Tacata, officer-on-case, said
the incident occurred at around 5:20 p.m. in front of the victim’s house.
Caba and his 25-year-old live-in partner were sitting on the road when
two men onboard a motorcycle with no license plates arrived and shot
the victim several times. (Madelynne Dominguez)
Jobless man found dead
The body of a 26-year-old jobless man was found hanging inside his
room in Quezon City Sunday, police said yesterday. Reports reaching
the Quezon City Police District-Criminal Investigation and Detection
Unit identified the victim as Ariel de Leon, single, of San Gabriel St.,
Villa Espana, Barangay Tatalon. Chief Insp. Rodel Marcelo, QCPD-CIDU
chief, said that the body of the victim was discovered at 6:20 p.m.
by his brother Alvin hanging on a wooden beam with a black sando
looped around his neck. (Francis T. Wakefield)
Laborer robs dropout
A 25-year-old laborer was arrested after he allegedly robbed a 17year-old high school dropout in Malabon City Sunday. SPO1 Edsel dela
Paz, officer-on-case, said the suspect, Albert Sabeniano, single, of 69
Orange Road, Barangay Potrero, Malabon, allegedly robbed Clarice
Mirafuentes, also of Barangay Potrero, of her cellphone while she
was walking in front of the Malabon Zoo at about 8:30 p.m. However,
bystanders chased the suspect and cornered him. (Ed Mahilum)
4
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
BIFF using seized SAF
firearms vs gov’t troops
By EDD K. USMAN
The Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Movement (BIFM) in
Central Mindanao yesterday
said its members are now using
against government forces the
weapons they captured on
January 25 from the Philippine
National Police-Special Action
Force (PNP-SAF).
Relatedly, BIFM spokesman Abu
Misry Mama claimed yesterday that
their members in the Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)
had damaged two military armored
vehicles three days ago.
“Our men used the 90RR
weapon we captured from the
SAF in inflicting damage on the
two armored vehicles,” he told the
Manila Bulletin. (This could not be
independently confirmed.)
“Did I not say before that we
will not return the weapons we
captured; that we will only return
the ammunition?” he said.
Mama said their men captured
10 weapons from the 44 slain SAF
commandos when they raided in
Mamasapano, Maguindanao, the
lairs of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli
bin Hir (a.k.a. Marwan) and his
understudy Abdul Basi Usman (no
relation with this journalist) who
escaped wounded.
He said the weapons they
captured are one 90RR, a shoulderfired anti-tank arm; four Armalite;
two baby M203 rifle; one long
M203; one Bushmaster; and one
Barrett M60 machine gun.
The BIFM-BIFF spokesman said
the 90RR (recoil-less rifle) has
more than 20 rocket ammunition,
which they are now using, along
with the smaller arms of the SAF
against the government forces.
e said presently they are not
directly engaging the enemies,
but they will fight back when the
military withdraws.
Mama said their men are in the
towns or cities every time the
military launches offensive; the
BIFF attacks when the soldiers are
returning to their camps.
M e a n w h i l e , Vo n A l - H a q ,
spokesman for military affairs of
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF), in a separate interview
cited the coordination made by
the military with the MILF as the
former launched in late February
its all-out offensive on the men
of BIFM Chairman Ameril “Umra”
Kato.
Al-Haq said the coordinating
mechanisms between the
government and MILF peace
panels really work when taken
advantage of.
He said the military through the
Coordinating Committee on the
Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH)
coordinated with the MILF that is
why there is no mis-encounter.
“We repositioned our men
starting on February 27 to comply
with the truce mechanisms,” said
the MILF leader.
NCRPO probes Jolo’s shooting
The National Capital Region
Police Office (NCRPO) has created
a special investigating team that
will look into the circumstances
of Cavite Vice Governor Jolo
Revilla being shot in their house in
Muntinlupa City.
Director Carmelo Valmoria,
NCRPO chief, said he has already
delegated some tasks to the
investigating team led by Chief
Supt. Henry Ranola in order to
maximize the information-gathering
about the report that Revilla shot
Volume 15 / Issue 01 • MARCH 2015
YEARS
MARCH 2 01 5
ANNIVERSARY
ISSUE
Animal Scene
HOW DO BIRDS
SHOW
AFFECTION?
CHARM IN G , CO LOR FU L: TH E G OU L DIAN FIN CH
CHARMING, COLORFUL:
VOLU M E 1 5 • N UM BE R 01
MARCH 2015
THE
GOULDIAN
FINCH
BUST
THOSE
CAT MYTHS!
DO YOU HAVE
WHAT IT TAKES
TO FOSTER
A FURBABY?
himself.
“We want to know if this is really
purely accidental or there was a
foul-play involved,” said Valmoria.
Jolo, son of detained Senator
Bong Revilla, was taken to the
hospital after reports that he was
hit with a bullet on his chest,
with his family saying that he
accidentally shot himself while
cleaning his gun.
But despite the claims in his
family, Valmoria said they have to
conduct investigation to shed light
on what really happened, what
with speculations that he tried to
commit suicide.
“This part of the job of the police.
Whether or not it is self-inflicted or
whoever was involved, for as long
as somebody get hurt, we have
to conduct investigation,” said
Valmoria.
Initially, the investigating team
went to the Asian Hospital to get
information, especially medical
reports, which is vital in the conduct
of the probe.
Valmoria would not say if they
have already obtained the firearm
involved as he appealed to wait for
the result of the investigation.
Relatedly, the Firearms and
Explosives Office (FEO) confirmed
that there are some guns licensed
to the Cavite Vice Governor.
But Chief Supt. Virgilio Moro
Lazo, FEO chief, said they still
have to confirm the report about
the specific firearm that wounded
Revilla.
“We still have to receive a
request for firearms verification,”
said Lazo.
The conduct of investigation on
the Revilla shooting incident was
backed up by the PNP leadership
amid questions of any liability of
the Cavite Vice Governor. (see
related story on page 9) (Aaron
B. Recuenco)
NEWS ROUNDUP
Girl, 7, found dead in Quezon
SARIAYA, Quezon – A 40-year-old man was arrested for the death
of his seven-year-old niece whose half-naked body was found covered
with dried bamboo leaves on a grassy lot in this town on Sunday
night. Police said Elaine (not her real name), a Grade 2 pupil, went
missing after her mother instructed her to remit a Small Town Lottery
(STL) bet to a neighbor just opposite their house at about 7:35 p.m.
The victim’s mother told police that she saw the suspect, Romy, 40,
talking to her daughter a few meters away from the house of STL
bet collector. When the girl did not return after several minutes, the
mother started to look for the child. She even tried to locate Romy,
but he was also nowhere to be found. The mother sought assistance
from her relatives and village officials in searching for the victim
until they found the girl’s body some 200 meters away from her
house. Responding Sariaya police with the assistance of barangay
officials arrested the suspect at the residence of his relatives. Police
investigators are waiting for the result of the autopsy to establish
whether or not the girl was sexually abused. (Danny J. Estacio)
2 robbers killed in shootout
BACOOR, Cavite – Two of six alleged “Termite Gang” members were
killed by a local police patrol team in a shootout late Sunday night in
Barangay Habay II, this city. The two still unidentified suspects died
on the spot in the running gunfight in the area at about 11:35 p.m.
Four others reportedly escaped during the incident. Supt. Rommel
C. Estolano, Bacoor police chief, said that the police team was fired
upon by the suspects, hitting the side of a mobile car and glass
window. No casualty was reported on the police side. Recovered from
the two killed alleged Termite Gang members were a .45- cal. pistol
and a .38 cal. revolver. Termite Gang is a police term for a group of
thieves who dig tunnels to get into an establishment to steal cash
and valuables. (Anthony Giron)
Hired guns kill village dad
CAMP JUAN, Ilocos Norte – A village councilor died while his
daughter was critically wounded in an ambush staged by three
alleged hired killers along the road in Barangay Santa Maria, Laoag
City, Ilocos Norte, late Satuday night, belated report said here.
Superintendent Jeffrey Gorospe, Laoag City chief of police, said Jessie
Jacinto Sr., 50, barangay councilor of the Barangay Santa Maria,
Laoag City, and leader of the tricycle drivers’ association in Laoag
City, succumbed to bullet wounds in the body upon reaching Governor
Roque Ablan Memorial Hospital. Jacinto’s wounded daughter, Jacklyn,
27, is now confined at Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital in Batac
City. She sustained gunshot wounds in the legs. Gorospe said one
of the suspects, identified as Luchimbar Maximo from Cauyan City,
Isabela, was arrested during a hot pursuit operation. He named his
cohorts a Jonathan Zapata, 42, from Lal-lo, Cagayan, and Michael
Rumbaoa from Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. During police interrogation,
Maximo admitted that they were hired to kill the victim for R25,000.
Investigation showed that the victim was driving a tricycle with his
wife, daughter and grandchildren as passengers at about 8:30 p.m.
when they were fired upon by the suspects. Police recovered from
the crime scene spent shells of .45-caliber pistol. Gorospe said a
manhunt has been launched for the two remaining suspects. (Freddie
G. Lazaro)
Ex-barangay chief slain
BANGUED, Abra – Police are investigating the gun-slaying of a
former village chairman in Barangay Lubong, Bangued, Abra province.
Chief Inspector Vic Orcino, Bangued town chief of police, said former
barangay chairman Julie Baay of Cosili East, this town, was shot and
killed while inspecting his road project in Barangay Lubong, at about
4:30 p.m. last Saturday. The victim was hit in the chest. He died upon
reaching the hospital. (Freddie G. Lazaro)
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
North Korea warns
of ‘merciless strikes’
SEOUL, South Korea – North
Korea fired two short-range ballistic
missiles into the sea yesterday
and warned of “merciless strikes”
against its enemies as allies Seoul
and Washington launched annual
military drills that Pyongyang claims
are preparation for a northward
invasion.
North Korea regularly conducts
such test firings of missiles, rockets,
and artillery, and they are often
timed to express the country’s
dissatisfaction with actions by
Washington and Seoul. Yesterday
was the start of military drills that
will run until the end of April.
Early yesterday morning, two
missiles launched from North
Korea’s west coast flew about 500
kilometers before landing in waters
off the east coast, according to
South Korea’s Defense Ministry.
Spokesman Kim Min-seok called
the launches an “armed protest”
against the South Korea-US drills
and a challenge to peace on the
Korean Peninsula.
The annual US-South Korean
military drills inevitably lead to
angry North Korean rhetoric,
although the allies say they are
purely defensive. The North’s
rhetoric is meant to show its
people that a tough leadership is
confronting what its propaganda
portrays as outside hostility,
but analysts also believe the
drills infuriate because they cost
Pyongyang precious resources by
forcing the country to respond with
its own drills and launches.
“The only means to cope with
the aggression and war by the
US imperialists and their followers
is neither dialogue nor peace.
They should be dealt with only by
merciless strikes,” an unidentified
spokesman for the North Korean
military’s general staff said in a
Pope slams ‘intolerable
brutality’ in Iraq, Syria
VATICAN CITY, Holy See – Pope
Francis on Sunday denounced
the “intolerable brutality” being
inflicted on Christians and other
minorities by Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria group militants.
“Unfortunately, the tragic news
just keeps coming from Iraq and
Syria,” the pontiff said after his
weekly prayer in St. Peter’s Square,
without specifically naming ISIS.
“We want to assure all those who
find themselves in these situations
that we have not forgotten them,”
he said. “Rather, we are with them
and we are praying intently for the
rapid end of the intolerable brutality
of which they are victims.”
Meanwhile, the ISIS on Sunday
freed 19 of the 220 Assyrian
Christians they took hostage in
Syria last week, after a ransom
was paid for their release, activists
said.
statement carried by state media.
He said the US-South Korean
drills are aimed at conquering the
North’s capital, Pyongyang, and
removing its leadership.
During the 2013 drills, tension
rose amid North Korean rhetoric
that included vows of nuclear
strikes on Washington and Seoul.
The rival Koreas earlier this year
floated the possibility of holding
what would be the third summit
between their leaders since the
countries were divided 70 years
ago. But they have been at odds
in recent weeks over terms, and
prospects seem dim.
North Korea separately told the
US that it was willing to impose
a temporary moratorium on its
nuclear tests if Washington cancels
the joint military drills with South
Korea. But the US rejected the
overture, calling it an “implicit
threat.” (AP)
“Nineteen Assyrian hostages
arrived on Sunday at the Church
of Our Lady in Hasakeh after they
were released by IS,” said Osama
Edward, the director of the Assyrian
Network for Human Rights.
“They arrived on two buses from
Shaddadeh,” the IS stronghold
in the northeastern province of
Hasakeh where they had been
detained, he told AFP.
Edward said an ISIS religious
court decided on Saturday to
release the Christians in exchange
for a sum of money for each family
that IS considers as “jizya,” or tax,
paid by non-Muslims. (AFP)
5
WORLD NEWS
HK lawmakers yield
HONG KONG – Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers yesterday
handed themselves in to police over their involvement in mass protests
for free elections, the latest step in a widespread investigation which
has been accused of intimidation.
Police have vowed to investigate the “principal instigators” of the
street blockades which ended in December when rally camps were
cleared.
A number of protest leaders have been arrested and released
without charge, in a controversial procedure which some say is
harassment.
Albert Ho and Helena Wong, both of the Democratic Party, turned
themselves in at Wan Chai police headquarters yesterday morning
after being requested to attend.
Each of them was holding a small yellow paper umbrella – the
symbol of the democracy movement – as supporters shouted: “We
want universal suffrage.”
“We Hongkongers who have tried to fight for true democracy are
not the ones who have done something wrong... it is the ridiculous
Hong Kong and Chinese governments taking away our democratic
nominations,” Wong said before she went inside. (AFP)
MH370 search to end
CANBERRA – The search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight
MH370 cannot go on forever, Australia’s deputy prime minister said,
and discussions are already under way between Australia, China, and
Malaysia as to whether or not to call off the hunt within weeks.
No trace has been found of the Boeing 777 aircraft, which
disappeared a year ago this week carrying 239 passengers and
crew, in what has become one of the greatest mysteries in aviation
history.
MH370 vanished from radar screens shortly after taking off from
Kuala Lumpur, bound for Beijing, early on March 8. Investigators
believe it was flown thousands of miles off course before eventually
crashing into the Indian Ocean.
The search of a rugged 60,000-square kilometers patch of sea floor
some 1,600 kilometers west of the Australian city of Perth, which
experts believe is the plane’s most likely resting place, will likely be
finished by May.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss told Reuters that a
decision would have to be taken well before then as to whether or
not to continue into the vast 1.1-million square kilometer area around
the primary search zone if nothing has been found.
Discussions had already begun about what to do in that event,
including the possibility that the search might be called off, said Truss,
who is also transport minister. (Reuters)
6
TUESDAY,
MARCH
201515, 2014
MONDAY,
MARCH
2,3,2015
SATURDAY,
FEBRUARY
EDITORIAL
Medium Rare
Peace in Mindanao
Jullie Y. Daza
Send them home
W
HAT are the chances of
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile
being allowed to go home
under house arrest?
Going by the continued hospital
arrest of former President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo, the prospects
don’t look too good.
Senator JPE would not like being
compared with GMA, but like it or
not, the two of them are in the same
boat. JPE is 91 years old, GMA 66. He
has pneumonia, confined at Makati
Medical Center after the PNP hospital
found itself inadequate to treat him
for fever and other symptoms. She’s
at Veterans Memorial Medical Center,
suffering from a host of complex
aches and pains resulting from a
severe spinal condition. Separately
accused of plunder, the ex-Senate
president and the ex-President have
yet to be tried in court.
When Pope Francis came to
preach the message of mercy and
compassion, the wishful thinking
went that the President would make
a grand p.r. gesture of showing
mercy and compassion to a former
President who is also a woman, a
senior citizen in frail health and not
about to become a flight risk after
wearing a neck brace for three years,
during which she had also lost a very
young grandchild.
If memory serves, a small group of
congressmen filed a resolution last
year seeking house arrest for GMA,
though nothing came of it, not even
after they argued that the state would
save a lot of money by discharging
her from a public hospital. In the
current case of JPE, a similar appeal
now seeks the graft court’s permission
to place him under house arrest on
humanitarian grounds. Malacañang’s
reply was to leave it to the court to
decide, which is not a bad thing, and
not a good thing either.
At mass last Sunday in a home for the
aged, the officiating priest reminded us
to treat the elderly with care because
they have earned their white hair,
wrinkled faces, and every affliction of a
tired body and a forgetful mind where
few dreams dwell; and my thoughts
went to a 91-year-old prisoner who
was freed some days ago because by
having served a third of the maximum
sentence of 10 years, she had earned
the right to be sent home to her family.
If there’s still a family.
F
OR weeks now, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been engaged in a campaign
against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao and in North
Cotabato. As in other encounters in Mindanao, it is difficult to determine the actual number
of casualties, but some 2,000 villagers have been forced to flee their homes and are now in
evacuation centers.
The BIFF is a group which broke off from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after the
latter entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Armed Forces. It espouses an independent
state for Moros in Mindanao and opposes the MILF’s peace agreement with the Philippine
government. It was in BIFF-controlled territory where Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias
Marwan had been hiding, when the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) moved to arrest him last
Jan. 25. Marwan was killed in the operation, but 44 SAF commandos were also killed by men
identified with the MILF and the BIFF.
The ceasefire with the MILF continues, as various government bodies conduct investigations
into the death of the SAF 44. But the BIFF has maintained its stand against any peace
agreement with the government, even declaring it will not surrender the SAF men’s firearms
that it captured. The AFP has thus launched the ongoing campaign.
It must be noted that the BIFF is only the latest Moro rebel group that has risen to challenge
the Philippine government. Years ago, there was the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
After it signed a peace agreement in 1976, which led to the establishment of the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), a splinter group formed the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF). Now that the MILF is about to set up the Bangsamoro Political Entity, the BIFF
has broken away from the MILF.
It has been reported that the BIFF itself has already splintered into three factions. One of
them calls itself Saifullah, said to mean “Sword of God” in Arabic. Then there is that other
group, the Abu Sayyaf, derisively called a bandit group by the armed forces, but it appears
to have its own following among the people of Muslim Mindanao.
The Mindanao problem is obviously much deeper and more complicated than it looks. The
Muslim people belong to different groups – the Tausugs, the Maranaos, the Maguindanaos,
for example. Historically, they fought all the foreign colonizers, as early as Rajah Sulayman
in Manila. It is said the Americans invented the .45 caliber pistol because their usual firearms
could not stop the Moros.
Now the Philippine government is about to make peace with the MILF and approve the
Bangsamoro Basic Law. But this agreement is only with the MILF. What of the MNLF, the Abu
Sayyaf, the BIFF, and now its new factions led by Saifullah? Many say the Bangsamoro Political
Entity holds our hope for peace in Mindanao. In the short run, perhaps. For the long run, our
government may need to draw up a deeper, broader, more inclusive, more comprehensive
solution than has been seen so far.
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
That’s the Spirit
Dr. Ramon Ricardo A. Roque,
CESOI, Diplomate
Anti-peace?
N
O Filipino is against a true
and lasting peace in the
country particularly in Mindanao,
which has a long history of armed
rebellion. Exceptions to this are
those who President Benigno S.
Aquino III referred to as personally
benefitting from the armed conflict
in Mindanao.
Those who are against the
passage of the Bangsamoro Basic
Law (BBL) because they are after
personal gains from the armed
rebellion in Mindanao are really
anti-peace. It is not accurate
or right to tag all those who are
opposed to the BBL in its current
form as anti-peace.
Some are against the BBL
because they see that, in its
current form, it is unconstitutional.
They are pro-peace but anti-BBL.
They are pro-constitution.
When see things in the context of
the constitution, we will realize that
anything outside the constitution
threatens peace. Our society, just
like any other democratic societies,
operates under the principle of the
rule of law. The 1987 Philippine
Constitution is the fundamental
law in our country and we should
strictly follow what the Constitution
requires. When we do something
outside of the law, the result will
be chaos.
If the Aquino Administration
is really after genuine peace in
Mindanao, it should guarantee
an objective evaluation of the
BBL’s constitutionality. While
it has its determination of the
constitutionality of the proposed
l a w, t h e E xe c u t i v e b ra n c h
should allow the Philippine
Congress (both the House of
Representatives and the Senate)
to determine whether the proposal
is indeed constitutional or not.
Likewise, both the Executive and
Legislative branches should also
allow the Judiciary, particularly
the Supreme Court, to make
its final determination on the
constitutionality of the BBL. After
all, under our system, it is the
Supreme Court that has the final
say about constitutional issues.
President Aquino is correct in
asking whether those who oppose
the BBL have alternatives to offer.
Indeed, it is in the best interest of
our country that we pursue the
best among available alternatives
in achieving genuine peace in
Mindanao. Are there really no
alternatives? Even if there is no
alternative, does its absence make
the BBL constitutional?
We should not rush the passage
of the Bangsamoro Basic Bill.
Hastily acting on it at the expense
of its constitutionality will be a
mistake that can be lead to a
worse peace and order situation
in Mindanao. We, especially our
leaders, should not settle for
anything less than a constitutional
solution to the peace problem in
Mindanao. Being pro-constitution
is a basic requisite of being propeace.
Longer days ahead
The days will begin to last longer
and nights get shorter after the
vernal equinox – the day that
daylight and darkness are almost
of equal length – on March 21.
According to the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical,
and Astronomical Services
Administration, vernal equinox is
an astronomical event that marks
the beginning of spring in the
northern hemisphere and autumn
in the southern hemisphere.
Every year, equal lengths of
day and night happen twice
a year during the vernal and
autumnal equinox on March and
September.
In the Philippines, days following
the vernal equinox mark longer
daytime and shorter nighttime.
It will also begin to feel more like
summer due to longer exposure
under the Sun. PAGASA has yet
to officially declare the onset of
hot and dry season this year. Last
year, it was declared on March 26.
This month, PAGASA said rainfall
conditions will likely be way below
to below normal over most parts
of the country, while patches
of near normal rainfall can be
observed in Sorsogon, Masbate,
most parts of Central Visayas, and
Caraga. (Ellalyn B. de Vera)
7
Reflections Today
Denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees
Gospel Reading Mt 23:1-12
E S U S
spoke to
the crowds
and to his
disciples,
saying, “The
scribes and
the Pharisees
have taken
their seat on
the chair of Moses. Therefore,
do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not
follow their example. For they
preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard
to carry and lay them on people’s
shoulders, but they will not lift a
finger to move them. All their
works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries
and lengthen their tassels. They
love places of honor at banquets,
seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and
the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you,
do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You
have but one teacher, and you
J
Dear Manay Gina
Gina de Venecia
Bad things
happen in
threes
Dear Manay Gina,
A series of unfortunate
events just happened to me.
I got a reprimand from my
boss for a job I’m extremely
dedicated to do. I also found
out that my boyfriend is
having a relationship with
someone else. Then, one of
my best friends decided she
doesn’t want to be friends
with me anymore because
I was proven to be disloyal
having befriended the girl
she hates. Well, while I am
not completely surprised, I’m
are all brothers. Call no one on
earth your father; you have but
one Father in heaven. Do not be
called ‘Master’; you have but one
master, the Christ. The greatest
among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will
be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
THEY DO NOT PRACTICE
Here, Jesus attacks the Jewish religious leaders although he
does not address them directly.
Instead, he speaks “to the crowds
and to his disciples.” He portrays
the religious authorities as bad
examples and urges his followers
not to imitate their distant and
haughty leadership style.The basic
problem with the scribes and the
Pharisees, says Jesus, is not with
what they teach; it is what they
do or fail to do: “they preach but
they do not practice.” The second
charge against them is that they
are more interested in appearance than in performance: “their
works are performed to be seen.”
still hurt. My question is: How
do I even begin to get my life
together, after these?
Noie
Dear Noie,
This is “bad things happen
in threes” to the max.
Easily, the best thing to do
is to give yourself sometime
t o s e l f- m e d i c a t e w h i l e
indulging with your favorite
desert and binge watching
your favorite TV series.
A f t e r t h a t , yo u s h o u l d
take another look at the one
thing you can salvage: your
job situation. It’s important
to follow up on this job
feedback. So, stay calm and
focus on discovering what
things you can do differently.
A mentor at work could help
you strategize on how to turn
things around.
The third charge is that they
consider themselves superior to
others and they consistently pull
rank: “they love places of honor
at banquets… and the salutation
‘Rabbi.’ ”In contrast, the followers
of Jesus are not to be preoccupied
with rank and prestige. Because
Christ is their one true teacher
and they are all equals in his
classroom, they are not to elevate
themselves with the teacher’s
titles: “Rabbi” and “Master.” Nor
are they to speak of themselves
as “father,” a designation of reverence in Jesus’ day, for God is their
one true Father. Instead they are
to assume the role of servants.
***
How are the dynamics of power
in your Christian community? Are
they inspired by the Gospel?
***
SOURCE: “366 Days with the
Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul
Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.:
895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail:
[email protected]; Website:
http://www.stpauls.ph.
Then, mentally make a
mission statement as you
take a long and broad look
at your future. What are
your large r dre ams and
goals? What is your vision?
What is the big picture?
These are tough times, yes
but they could also be your
turning points. I mean,
your worst week is over.
And what you choose to do
next is the only important
thing.
Affectionately,
Manay Gina
“Suffering isn’t
ennobling, recovery
is.” –Christiaan
Barnard
***
Send questions to
manaygina@hotmail.
com
8
1iiiiijiii
TUESDAY, MARCH 3,2015
tempoen@gmail,com
Enterta
The Last Star:
Maja says sh~
Sharon, sweet Sharon to apologize to
Her songs
brought joy
to cou ntless
listeners. Think
"Sana'y Wala ng
Wakas," " Maging
Sino Ka Man,"
"Ikaw," "Kahit
Maputi na ang
Buhok Ko, "
"Bituing Walang
Ningning," "Init
sa Magdamag,"
"Pangarap Na
Bituin."
Highspeed
Ronald Constantino
WEET SHARONIt's wonderful to hear
again from Sharon
Cuneta ... via a postValentine card and
sweet delicacies. For the last
two decades or so, Sharon never
failed to remember with sweet
notes for entertainment writers
during Christmas, be they active
or retired. But Christmas 2014,
we didn't hear from her, which
was understandable as she was
going through tough times.
After Christmas came the
Valentines cards, with dedication
in her own handwriting,
accompanied by chocolates.
Valentine 2015 came and
still no word from Sharon .
Understandable as earlier
noted . Then last week came
this post-Valentine card and
sweet delicacies. Here's hoping
sweet Sharon is okay now and
ready to face the world. We all
miss the Megastar.
[S
S
THE LAST STAR - This
columnist calls Sharon Cuneta
The Last Star as after reigning
as movie queen in the '80s,
Philippine cinema went downhill.
From more than 300 movies
produced a year, the output was
reduced to 30 or so, not counting
the indies.
Television took over cinema and
TV royalty like Judy Ann Santos,
Claudine Barretto, Marian Rivera,
Angel Locsin, Kristine Hermosa
reigned .
Sharon herself hosted toprating
musical-variety shows.
ACTRESS AND SINGER - Like
Nora Aunor, Sharon is an excellent
actress and singer.
Among her memorable movies
are those she made with Fernando
Poe, Jr., Gabby Concecion, Robin
Padilla, and Boyet de Leon.
Sharon won a grand slam for
"Madrasta" - best actress awards
from Star, FAMAS, Academy,
and Urian. Must also mention
"Crying Ladies," one of her best
performances.
Idol sa Kusina
Chef Boy Lagro
IV' IUM
yurn yurn, rnga Kapuso'
Nagsasawa na ba kayo sa mga
meryendang inihahanda ninyo sa
inyong mga anak pag-uwi nila galing
sa paaralan? Ngayong araw, ituturo ko sa inyo
kung paano bibigyan ng twist at gagawing
dessert ang paborito at masarap na kapeng
barako na mabibili sa Batangas. Subukang
lutuin ngayon ang Kapeng Barako and Tablea
Affogato na siguradong makakapagpawala ng
pagod ng inyong mga anak pagkagaling sa
school.
SPEEDY
NOTES
"Mukhang call
boy" is how
colleague Jobert
Sucaldito calls
an "antipatico"
newcomer.
Handsome in
a call boyish
way... Anjanette
Abayari
is
looking great,
now a mother
of two boys. Is
she staging a
comeback? Welcome home, AJ ...
A character actor is now living in
a home for aged in the province ...
heard that Bella Salvador, wife
of Leroy and mother of Jobelle,
is now back, living in Paranaque.
She stayed in Las Vegas for many
years ... when President Noynoy
Aquino is no longer in office by
2016, youngest sister Kris promises
to be his "protector." Kris expects
many cases will be filed against
PNoy ... Kuya Germs Moreno is
slowly but surely recovering from
a mild stroke.
Timing
Gustong
mag-apologize
Rowena Agilada
S
[SJ
uicide attempt nga
ba 0 aksidenteng
nabaril ni Cavite Vice
Governor Jolo Revilla
ang kanyang sarili?
Isinugod siya sa
Asian Hospital sa Muntinlupa
City. As of press time, stable na
diumano ang kalagayan ng anak
nina Senator Bong Revilla at Rep.
Lani Mercado.
Ayon sa naglabasang report,
diumano'y naglilinis si vice gov. ng
baril nang aksidenteng nakalabit
niya ang gatilyo at tumama ang
bala nito sa kanyang kanang dibdib.
Sa isang report naman, diumano'y
nagtangkang magpakamatay si
vice gov. at nagbaril sa sarili dahil
diumano sa depression .
Diumano pa rin, sobrang
naapektuhan si vice gov. sa
kinasasangkutang kontrobersiya
ng kanyang daddy Bong kaugnay
ng PDAF scam . Nakakulong ang
senador sa PNP Custodial Center
na diumano'y ikina-depress ni
Vice Gov. Jolo. Sobrang close
raw kasi ito sa ama.
Ayon pa sa report,
nakadagdag diumano sa
depression ni Vice Gov. Jolo
ang balitang diumano'y
ililipat sa regular prison cell
ang kanyang daddy dahil
diumano'y pinuntahan
nito si Sen . Juan Ponce
Enrile sa PNP General
Hospital para batiin sa
nakaraang kaarawan
nito.
Ano kaya'ng reaction ni Kim
Chiu sa sinabi ni Maja Salvador sa
"The Buzz" na gusto nitong magapologize sa kanya noon? Gusto raw
siyang kausapin ni Maja pero wala
lang pagkakataon dahil saradongsarado ang isip niya (Kim). Kaugnay
'yun ng pakikipag-relasyon ni
Maja kay Gerald Anderson na exboyfriend ni Kim.
Ayon pa kay Maja, sobrang special
pa rin sa kanya si Kim (bilang
kaibigan) at kung pwede lang daw
sanang maibalik ang lahat, ito'y
Kapeng barako and tablea affogato
INGREDIENTS:
200 ml kapeng barako
4 scoops good-quality
vanilla ice cream
4 pcs tablea, coarsely
chopped
PROCEDURE:
Make the kapeng barako.
Put the ice cream into four
dessert glasses or cups.
Add tablea into the hot
coffee before pouring over
the ice cream.
Drown each with coffee
and serve while warm and
melting .
***
Para sa masasarap na
recipes mula sa eksperto,
patuloy na manood ng
"Idol sa Kusina" sa GMA
News TV.
inment
NESTORCUARTERO
Editor
e made plans
Kim on Gerald
gagawin niya . Ayon pa kay Maja,
okey lang sa kanya na muling
magkatrabaho sa isang project sina
Gerald at Kim dahil marami pa ring
fans ang dalawa.
Asked kung kava ba niyang (Maja)
i-give up ang kanyang career in
favor of love, ani Maja, siguro raw
after five years pa. By that time,
"sila" pa rin kava ni Gerald?
Pangakong napako
Si Kris Aquino kava ang peg ni LJ
Reyes? After almost a year, sinabi ni
Kris na ina 10k siva ng kasal ni Mayor
Herbert Bautista.
Matagal nang hiwalay sina LJ
at Paulo Avelino at four years
old na ang love child nilang si
Aki pero now lang sinabi ng
una na ina 10k daw siva ng
kasal ni Paulo.
Ani LJ, noong nabuntis
siya'y pinangako raw ni
Paulo na pakakasalan siva
nito. Noong mala pit na
raw siyang manganak sa
US ay nangako rin daw si
Paulo na susunod doon .
Pero waley at no show
ito.
We still remember
nang nakausap
naming
si
Paulo sa isang
presscon noon
na sinabi
nga niyang
susunod siva
kay LJ sa US dahil
gusto niyang nasa tabi
siva nito sa oras
ng panganganak
nito. Pero hindi
naaprubahan
ang US visa ni
Paulo, kava hindi siva nakasunod
noon kay LJ.
Noong bumalik si LJ sa Pilipinas
with their baby ay nag-live-in na
sila ni Paulo. Naiba ang sitwasyon
noong lumipat si Paulo sa ABSCBN hanggang nagkalabuan ang
relasyon nila ni LJ.
Separate lives na sila ngayon at
nali-link si LJ kay JC de Vera. Out
na ba sa picture si Renz Fernandez
n a
co-star ni LJ sa
"Yagit"?
0, press
release
langang
paglilink sa
kanila?
Well. ..
TUESDAY, MARCH 3,2015
Trailer
Nestor Cuartero
UST A THOUGHT:
"A mind troubled by
[ ] ] doubt cannot focus on
the course to victory."
- Arthur Golden
Go figure.
ROUGH SAILING: Sadly,
however, there's a bit of inconsistency
***
in the way Ms. Calzado's career runs
on the tracks of ABS-CBN . Despite
the enormous success enjoyed by
both "Starting over" and "Hawak
Kamay," Iza's next projects under
the network remain hanging.
We just hope the same doesn't
happen to the careers of new
transferees Jolina Magdangal and
VG 1010 Revilla in
By GLENN REGONDOLA
NASA Intensive Care Unit (lCU)
ng Asian Hospital at Medical
Center sa Muntinlupa City na
muli ang aktor at Vice Governor
ng Cavite na si Jolo Revilla
matapos ang dalawang oras at
kalahating operasyon. Ipinarating
ang development na ito ni Atty.
Jason Oy is 'The Voice PH' Season 2 champ
BALLADEER Jason Dy of Team
Sarah emerged as winner of "The
Voice Philippines" Season 2, edging
first runner-up Alisah Bonaobra of
Team Api by 5% of the total final
votes.
Jason garnered 52.94 % of total
public votes while Alisah received
47.06 % votes. Leah Patricia ofTeam
Lea and Rence Rapanot of Team
Bamboo finished third and fourth,
respectively.
The 24-year-old rendered Ariel
Rivera's "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin"
during the final showdown held
at the Newport Performing Arts
Theater in Resorts World Manila,
Pasay City, Sunday.
Maxene Magalona.
In fairness, Jolina and Maxene are
currently enjoying their moments
on "Flor de Liza" and "Dream Dad,"
respectively.
As a network executive puts it,
assigning roles to their contract
artists is done round robin style,
depending on their suitability to the
parts and availability at the time of
casting.
The over-all philosophy, he said, is
to give everyone his time to shine.
MIZZING IN ACTION: : In
the flurry of high-profile Kapamilya
activities, new TV shows being
launched and new movies in the
horizon, where does Iza Calzado
figure in all of these?
***
JASON Dy
Overwhelmed with his triumph,
an emotional Jason thanked his
supporters during the awards night,
saying, "Maraming maraming salamat
(sa inyo), thank you so much Lord,
you are amazing ... God bless po sa
inyong lahat."
The Top 4 finalists battled it out in
a two-night grand finals with two sets
of performances each night.
On Saturday, each finalist had a
duet with their musical influences
and a solo performance. During the
second finale night, they had a solo
number anew and a duet with their
respective coaches.
For the Saturday live show, Jason
sang "Wrecking Ball" with Charice
Pempengco and "With You ."
He performed "Angels Brought Me
Here and "If I Ain't Got You" with
Sarah on Sunday. (Marjorie S.
Duran/mb.com.ph)
9
Looking for Iza,
launching a rivalry
***
After making her move from GMA7 to ABS-CBN, the super-talented
Iza made a good jumpstart as a
Kapamilya.
She co-starred with Piolo
Pascual and Toni Gonzaga in the
2014 block buster film "Starting over
Again," where her brief appearance
positioned her as among the very
best actresses in the industry at
present. She followed this up with
a lead role in teleserye, "Hawak
Kamay," where she once more paired
with Piolo.
~
.IIII/PII
RIVALRY LAUNCHED: Julia
Barretto has kissed and made up
with her father, Dennis Padilla. That's
one good gesture in time for her
18th birthday celebration in early
March.
The reaction of Julia's mother,
Marjorie Barretto, to Gretchen
Barretto's praising Liza Soberano
has unwittingly launched a rivalry
between the two young, rising
actresses. Liza has scored a
phenomenal hit in "Forevermore,"
opposite Enrique Gil, who was
Julia's leading man in "Mirabella,"
a mild hit.
leu after surgery
Joel Bodegon sa ngalan ng Revilla
family, avon sa online site na
PEP.ph.
Si Revilla ay tinanggalan ng
kala hating litro ng dugo sa
kanyang baga sa pamamagitan
ng isang chest tube insertion.
Matatandaang ang actorpolitician ay isinugod sa nasabing
ospital matapos aksidenteng
nabaril diumano nito ang kanyang
sarili habang naglilinis ng kanyang
.40 Glock handgun noong umaga
ng Feb. 28 sa kanilang bahay
sa Ayala, Alabang. Nagtamo ito
ng tama sa bandang itaas ng
kanyang kanang dibdib.
Dahil sa kanyang hindi pa
magandang kundisyon, limitado
muna ang mga bisita na puwedeng
duma law sa kanya, except ang
kanyang pamilya.
Hiniling din ng Revilla family na
dagdagan pa ang pagdarasal para
sa mas ikakabuti ang kalagayan
at mas mabilis na recovery ni
Jolo.
Sa isang banda, marami ang
nagsasabing hindi aksidente ang
pagkakatama ng baril kay Jolo
kundi ito raw ay isang suicide
attempt dahil sa maraming
JOLO Revilla
pinagdadaanan ngayon ng
kanilang pamilya.
Pero, avon naman kay Atty.
Raymond Fortun, na tumatayong
spokesperson ng pamilya, ito ay
isa ngang aksidente lang . As of
presstime, wala pang nakukuhang
pahayag sa kanyang girlfriend na
si Jodi Santamaria tungkol sa
insidenteng ito.
Will Smith’s ‘Focus’
tops US box office
WILL Smith’s new action drama “Focus” booted the kinky sex tale
“Fifty Shades of Grey” for its perch atop US and Canadian weekend
box office charts, racking up $19.1 million in ticket sales.
Smith, in his first leading role since con artist, played by Margot Robbie, in
2013’s “After Earth,” plays a seasoned the romance-caper film hybrid.
“Kingsman: The Secret Service”, an
con artist who meets up with an aspiring
adaptation of a popular comic series
which stars Samuel L. Jackson and
Colin Firth about a spy agency’s training
program and a global threat by a tech
genius, also outpaced “Grey” to claim
second place with $11.8 million.
Third place on a weekend that saw
business hampered by rough winter
weather in the south and midwest
again went to the family-friendly “The
SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of
Water”, based on the popular television
show about a talking animated sponge.
It sold $11.2 million in tickets.
“Grey,” the smash hit adaptation
of the best-selling novel which stars
James Dornan and Dakota Johnson
as the libidinous couple, took in $10.9
million, landing in fourth from Friday
through Sunday, according to studio
estimates. The film is closing in on
$148 million at the domestic box
office since opening just over two
weeks ago.
Rounding out the top five, “The
Lazarus Effect,” which stars Mark
Duplass and Olivia Wilde as researchers
trying to resurrect the dead, took the
No. 5 spot on its opening weekend with
$10.6 million in sales. (Reuters)
Mikee Cojuangco bats
for environmental awareness
WORLD Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Climate Solutions Steward Mikee
Cojuangco-Jaworski leads this
year’s Earth Hour campaign
aimed at raising environmental
awareness. Held annually, it
encourages people to switch off
their lights for more than an hour
on March 28 from 7 to 10 p.m.
In an interview, Mikee said it’s
not only Mother Nature that’s been
MIKEE Cojuangco
suffering from people’s irresponsibility.
She underscored that we are, in fact,
ultimately killing ourselves by not
taking care of our surroundings.
“We all agree naman na we are
already feeling the bad effects of
climate change. That is why when
they (WWF) approached me, I agreed.
Because I want to be part of an event
that would remind us that simple acts
can contribute to (the rehabilitation
of) our planet,” she said.
Mikee urges everyone to make
energy conservation part of their
lifestyle. “Medyo malamig naman
kapag gabi na kaya baka pwedeng
’wag nang buksan ’yung aircon or saglit
lang. Kasi ’yung mga ganoong bagay
(ay) malaking tulong na,” she said.
Educated at a very young age to be
environmentally-friendly, Mikee hopes
the country would be named No.1
Earth Hour country anew.
“ Fo r y e a r s p a l a g i t a y o n g
nangunguna sa ganyan. Siyempre
nakakatuwa na we are championing
the Earth Hour. Very nice kasi alam
mo namang tayong mga Pilipino
gustong palaging number one sa mga
Pet lovers’ show
DOGS and cats are among
the most popular pet choices
in the Philippines. As such, it is
no surprise the spotlight now
falls on these adorable house
companions via GMA News
TV’s “Luv U Pet.”
Produced by former GMA
News and Public Affairs news
correspondent Claire Delfin
for Claire Delfin Media, the
pet-oriented lifestyle show
tackles everything pet lovers
need to know about their furry
friends.
Delve deeply into The Big Bang Theory
That said, Claire is adamant
and start from the beginning by tracing
back the biggest bangs that have arrived
since. Lastly, discover the possibilities of
turning ordinary people into powerful
weapons. As part of the spectacular
LOS ANGELES –The $150,000
Fight Science series, explore new ways Oscar gown worn by actress
of combat and challenge human fighting Lupita Nyong’o that was stolen
in “Fight Science: Season 2 Fight two days ago was returned on
Masters: Mixed Martial Arts”.
Friday by the thief, who tipped
Don’t miss “Amazing Plants” on off celebrity news site TMZ.com
March 2, Monday, at 8 p.m.; “Dogs: after learning the pearls on the
The Early Years” on March 3, Tuesday, dress were fake, according to
at 8 p.m.; “Known Universe: Part 1” officials and the website.
on March 5, Thursday at 8:00 p.m.;
TMZ said the thief took the
“Known Universe Part 2” on March 6, Calvin Klein dress from Nyong’o’s
Friday, at 8 p.m., and “Known Universe: hotel room on Wednesday after
Part 3” on March 7, Saturday at 8 p.m.; finding the door ajar.
and “Fight Science: Season 2: Fight
The Kenyan actress had worn
Masters: Mixed Martial Arts” on March the dress adorned with 6,000
7, at 7 p.m.. Catch all these episodes pearls to Sunday’s AcademyAwar
only on 9TV.
9TV’s Stories serenades
the world of science
THIS week, 9TV’s Stories invites you
to enrich your knowledge on animals,
plants, and different universes.
In “Amazing Plants”, enter the world
of plants and understand their complex
processes and struggles. Find out how
some predatory plants use trapdoors
to catch prey, while the others shrink
or give off certain smells to fight the
enemy. Together with experts in their
field, discover the most amazing secrets
of the world of plants and perceive them
from a different light. In the warm and
fascinating world of puppies, study
their breeding, behavior, and training.
Moreover, receive practical advice on
dog selection and how to cultivate longterm relationships with man’s favorite
friend in “Dogs: The Early Years”.
Shift to the world of plants and
animals and travel to the universe in
“Known Universe: Parts 1, 2, and 3”.
that the show focuses only
on the positive aspect of pet
ownership.
“Ako, I believe kailangan din
na when you want to promote
love, you have to show love.
If you want to teach love,
you have to show love, so
positive reinforcement lahat
at hindi ’yung puro negatibo
ang ipapakita sa show. For
example, hindi (namin ififeature) ’yung may batang
nakagat ng aso at namatay
kasi it’s very negative eh,” she
explained.
ganitong bagay,” she said.
In line with the campaign, WWF
has also launched “The Gift of Light”
project that will give portable solar
lamps to help families in Palawan
light up their homes.
“It’s a need in that area because
they have no electricity. Ang
ginagamit lang nila ay lamps. Paano
naman ’yung mga bata who are
trying to study?”
Not just yet
The former actress enjoys being
a mother and doing her best to
be good wife to Dodot Jaworski.
Mikee and Dodot met via a group
date in 1997. They married in July
30, 1999 and now have three boys
namely Robbie, Raf and Renzo.
With her busy schedule, Mikee is
not yet open to rejoining the local
entertainment industry.
“Merong (mga offers),” she said.
“Pero kasi it will take a lot of my
time lalo na marami akong ibang
advocacies and commitments. Baka
lalong ’di ko makasama pamilya ko,”
she said. (Rowena Tan/mb.com.
ph)
The idea of producing the
show came about after Lestre
Zapanta, a dog master with 15
years of experience analyzing
canine behavior, was featured
on “Brigada” some time ago.
“They had an episode on
‘Brigada’ about dog behavior
interventions then maganda
’yung response ng public so it
further cemented what I have
always observe na may demand
for information about pets,”
Claire shared.
“Luv U Pet” airs Saturdays
at 4 p.m. on GMA News TV
Channel 11 (Marjorie S.
Duran/mb.com.ph)
Lupita Nyong’o’s $150,000 Oscar gown returned by thief
ds in one of the most commented
looks of the night.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department Lieutenant Michael
White told reporters at a Friday
news conference that they
received a call around 3 p.m.
local time from a media outlet
who reported hearing from an
anonymous caller that the dress
had been returned to the London
Hotel.
The media source said the
thief removed two pearls from
the dress and took them to the
Garment District in downtown
Los Angeles where they were told
they were not real, according to
White. (Reuters)
LUPITA Nyong’o (Reuters)
12
Comics
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
AGOS
1
RICHEL G. DOROTAN/LOUIE CELERIO
2
3
4
5
7
6
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
8
9
10
18
22
19 20 21
23
25 26 27 28 29
24
30
31
32
33
34
35
CROSSALITA (7449)
By AERON ALDRICH B. HALOS
PAHALANG
PABABA
1 Dinakip
7 Kahoy
11 Kinanta
12 Bituin
13 Sahog sa halo-halo
14 Batid
15 Ipusta
16 Gapi
17 Gibain
19 Ani
22 Pangamba
23 Nasagap ng taynga
24 Handog
25 Bumalik sa tirahan
30 Panghalip panao
31 Alisin patalilis
32 Lamanloob
33 Sasabungin
34 - - - de coco
35 Inareglo
1 Tuyong hipon
2 Liyad
3 Nobela ni E. Zola
4 Rattan
5 Klaruhin
6 Baluga
7 Organisahin
8 Kokak
9 Dakong loob
10 Kain nang masiba
18 Tugunin
19 Lengguwahe
20 Pampanga town
21 Grasya
23 Tanong hanap
26 Nakuha sa yumao
27 - - - - ukay
28 Sunod sa pito
29 Dahon: pangkiskis
31 Desenteriya
Sports
Nadal ends drought
BUENOS AIRES (AFP) – Rafael
Nadal won his first title in nearly
nine months on Sunday, beating
Juan Monaco 6-4, 6-1 to win the
Argentina Open.
Nadal’s triumph was his first
since he won a ninth French Open
title at Roland Garros last June.
It was Nadal’s 65th career
crown on all surfaces, moving
him into sole possession of fifth
place on the Open Era all-time list
led by the 109 titles of American
Jimmy Connors. He broke out of
a tie for fifth with Bjorn Borg and
Pete Sampras.
“They have an impressive history,’’ Nadal said of Sampras and
Borg. “That’s why it is an honor to
be compared to them.’’
He claimed his 46th career
claycourt title, second-most in
the Open Era behind the 49 of
Argentina’s Guillermo Vilas.
Most importantly, the victory
showed Nadal is headed in the
right direction.
The Spaniard, who battled injury last year after his Roland Gar-
ros triumph, exited early in Qatar
and fell in the quarter-finals at
the Australian Open in January.
He had fallen to fourth in the
world after a semi-final loss to
Italian Fabio Fognini in Rio de
Janeiro last week, the first time
he hasn’t figured in the top three
since August 2013.
With this win, he’s projected to
return to third in the world, again
overtaking Britain’s Andy Murray.
“I’m coming off a season that
has not been easy – injuries, accidents,’’ said Nadal, who had to
cope with wrist trouble and an
appendectomy in 2014.
“The beginning of this year has
been a bit tricky after some time
out, but little by little we have
found positive feelings.’’
The 28-year-old left-hander
needed one hour and 26 minutes
on court to notch his sixth victory
over Monaco in as many meetings on clay.
But the players had to wait out
a two-hour rain delay before the
match, and another 55-minute
delay after both held serve for 11 in the opening set on the still
slippery court.
“It was a tough day in the rain
because no one knew what was
going to happen,’’ Nadal said.
“I am very thrilled to win here.
From the first day I trained my
best to achieve this goal. I’m very
happy. I leave here with an unforgettable feeling and memory.’’
After securing a tight first
set with a break of serve in the
seventh game, Nadal stormed
through the second.
He broke Monaco twice en
route to a 4-0 lead, then broke
him again in the final game,
clinching the win on his first
match point when Monaco sent a
forehand long.
Nadal, playing in the Argentinian capital for the first time in a
decade, didn’t face a break point
in the contest before a packed
crowd that included Vilas and
David Nalbandian, the last Argentinian player to win the Buenos
Aires title.
Poulter, Casey share lead
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.
(AP) – Ian Poulter didn’t realize
he had a three-shot lead in the
Honda Classic, only that he was
playing well enough to feel like
he was in control of his game and
the tournament.
One shank changed everything
Sunday.
“That just came out of left
field,’’ Poulter said.
His next tee shot that splashed
down in the water left of the fairway made it even worse.
“It was a bit of a body blow,’’
he said.
What had been a marathon day
at soggy PGA National suddenly
turned into a sprint-to-the-finish
on Monday morning when the final round was to resume. Poulter
lost command of the Honda Classic, but he didn’t lose his place
atop the leaderboard.
He was at 7-under par through
seven holes, tied with Paul Casey,
who went out in 31 and was in
the left rough on the 10th hole
when the final round was halted
at sunset.
Patrick Reed, in the final group
with Poulter, was one shot behind.
Phil Mickelson was among four
players who were three shots be-
hind at 4-under par. That group
included Daniel Berger, the PGA
Tour rookie from West Palm
Beach whose final shot Sunday
was a 35-foot chip-in for birdie
on the 11th hole.
“I’m pretty pleased with the golf
I’ve played throughout the whole
of today,’’ Poulter said. “I haven’t
really made many mistakes at all.
I’ve put it in position an awful lot,
which is encouraging right now.
And If I do that tomorrow, then
I’m going to be in a good position.’’
His two mistakes were big
ones.
Answer yesterday
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
13
SPAIN’S Rafael Nadal shakes off sweat after winning the final tennis match of the ATP Argentina Open against Argentina’s Juan
Monaco in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nadal won 6-4, 6-1. (AP)
Donaire, Nietes
headline card
Nonito Donaire says he is a
changed man, while Donnie Nietes insists he remains the same:
fast and furious.
The two fighters, who are
headlining a huge March 28 card
at the Smart Araneta Coliseum,
graced a press conference yesterday and expressed optimism that
they’ll get the job done.
Nietes meets Gilberto Parra of
Mexico in the seventh defense of
the World Boxing Organization
light-flyweight title, while Donaire
faces William Prado of Brazil in a
super-bantam bout.
“In this fight you’ll see a smarter fighter,” said Donaire, who was
blown away in his last fight by
Nicholas Walters of Jamaica last
year.
Donaire admitted to being a
bit careless in his last few fights
and the flashy Fil-Am says he has
learned his lesson, a valuable one
at that.
“I have learned that patience is
a virtue and now I am ready to
listen to my father and my corner,” added Donaire.
Nietes, who already has a
scheduled fight in July against
mandatory challenger Francisco
Rodriguez, also of Mexico, says
he always has the fans in mind
whenever he steps up the ring.
“I always like to bring out my
best so the fans are happy,” said
Nietes, who assures everyone
that he will be coming out with
both guns ablaze.
Michael Aldeguer, the big boss
of ALA Boxing, feels the Big Dome
slugfest promises to provide fistic
fireworks.
“The fact that they’re fighting on
the same card makes this everything so special,” said Aldeguer.
Donaire, heavily favored against
the Brazilian bomber, believes this
fight will determine if “still has a
lot in the tank.”
RACE TIPS
R6: Burbank/Pag Ukol Bubukol;
R7: Never Cease/Wild Talk; R8:
Yani Noh Yana/Dixie Wind.
TIPSTER C - R1: Conqueror/
Fly Like An Eagle; R2: Low Profile/Dixie Gold; R3: Safeguard/
Prize Dancer; R4: Make My Day/
Promise; R5: Gee’s Queen/Chikks
To Chikks; R6: Burbank/Take Itor
Leave It; R7: Never Cease/Wild
Talk; R8: Yani Noh Yana/Guimaras Island.
BEST CHOICE - R1: Fly Like
An Eagle; R2: Low Profile; R3:
Safeguard; R4: Promise; R5:
Gee’s Queen; R6: Burbank; R7:
Never Cease; R8: Yani Noh Yana.
Today’s races (San Lazaro)
Starting at 6:30 P.M.
TIPSTER A - R1: Fly Like An
Eagle/Candy Crush; R2: Low Profile/Dixie Gold; R3: Don Guru/
Safeguard; R4: Krissy’s Gift/
Promise; R5: Gee’s Queen/Salinas; R6: Burbank/Take Itor Leave
It; R7: Never Cease/Spirit; R8:
Yani Nooh Yana/Guimaras Island.
TIPSTER B - R1: Fly Like An
Eagle/Mahiwaga; R2: Low Profile/
Karapatan; R3: Private Thoughts/
Safeguard; R4: Promise/Primadonna; R5: Salinas/Gee’s Queen;
14
Sports
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
LAST SHOT
TITO S. TALAO
Eugene
ALL those years I’ve never had the opportunity to meet the great GM Eugene
Torre so I didn’t have the faintest idea
what he sounds like.
One time the office phone rang and a
gentle voice politely asked for Rey Bancod,
Tempo’s sports editor. As I was trying to
beat the deadline, I may have been a little
gruff telling him it was Rey’s dayoff.
The man then asked if it would be possible to relay that he had called and I, in
turn, inquired who he was.
“Eugene,” the man said softly
“Eugene who?“ I absentmindedly asked
while putting a caption on a photo.
“Eugene Torre,” the voice said.
I froze, and everything around me came
to a stop like in those Matrix movies.
Eugene Torre! This is Asia’s first grand-
master, the man who brought the country
to the world chess map back in the ‘70s;
Bobby Fisher’s close friend and who once
beat world champion Anatoly Karpov!
My goodness! This is perhaps the most
important personality in Philippine sports
for the past four decades and I don’t even
know his voice!
Mortified, I blurted out “Idol!” after I regained my senses. I next apologized profusely for my impertinence.
Torre laughed in a soft and shy way and
assured me that no explanation was necessary.
It was with that same boyish laughter did
he respond to a joke two days ago when I
finally had the chance to shake the hand of
the living legend of Philippine chess.
Of all places, we met in an old chapel
inside the Paco Park where we stood as
sponsors to the wedding of two mutual
friends. I saw him standing by himself,
looking splendid in a beige barong, in front
of the altar and double-stepped towards
him.
His face lit up after I introduced myself
and we shook hands.
The matrimonial ceremony lasted for
about an hour but somehow, in between
breaks, he managed to share his thoughts
on the progress of Philippine chess, his role
in the current scheme of things, the decision of super GM Wesley So to represent
the US, the upcoming wunderkind Paulo
Bersamin, and what it takes to become a
chess prodigy.
“There are so many factors involved
in the making of a chess champion: his
genes, an inborn desire to study the game,
support from his parents, tough competitions, even private sponsors,” Torre said,
apparently referring to Wesley So. “Mga 10
years old pa lang si Wesley nakita ko na
magaling na agad.”
He was reminded that he never had the
same financial backing during his developing years and that reports said he even had
to sell some of his chess clocks to augment
the meager support coming his way.
Talk about how not to become a chess
prodigy.
It was here that he stifled a laugh, a
TEAM captain Thirdy Escano of Manila Southwoods hoists the championship trophy, with help from
PAL President Jaime J. Bautista, after ruling the championship division in the 68th PAL Interclub
golf team tournament in Cebu City.
Ceres blanks Pachanga XI
Game Today
(Rizal Memorial Stadium)
8:15 p.m. – Ceres vs Army
Ceres-La Salle shrugged off a
long layoff and trounced struggling Pachanga Diliman, 3-0, to
notch its second win in as many
matches in the United Football
League last Sunday at the Rizal
Memorial Stadium.
Patrick Reichelt scored the
opener off a set piece in the 21st
minute but it took second half
goals by Manny Ott and Angelo
Marasigan to put the Bacolodbased side in fifth place in the
10-team first division with six
points.
Ott doubled the lead in the 77th
while Marasigan put the icing on
the cake near stoppage time as
Ceres won its first match in the
domestic front since defeating
Manila Jeepney, 2-1, in the opening game of the league season
last Feb. 7.
The club endured a long break
after failing to secure a place in
the group stage of the Asian
Football Confederation (AFC)
Cup.
Ceres lost 1-0 to Maldivian club
Maziya last Feb. 17 and would
have spent the rest of the month
playing in the AFC Cup group
stage had they won that playoff
match.
Pachanga has yet to produce a
point after four matches.
The rout of Pachanga is the first
game of a busy three-day schedule for Ceres as it is slated to face
another winless club in Army at
8:15 p.m. tonight.
Another victory will put Ceres
in a four-way tie for second place
with Kaya, Loyola Meralco Sparks
and Stallion. (Jonas Terrado)
quick chuckle that the priest may have
heard but chose to ignore.
Torre said Philippine chess started its
upswing when former FIDE president Florencio Campomanes took over the local
scene.
“Ang daming competition non,” he recalled.
Perhaps moved by the nuptial atmosphere, Torre, out of the blue, also asked:
“Was Rudy Navarro (Tempo’s original
sports editor) still around when so-and-so
got married? I didn’t hear about it kasi e.”
“No idea,” I said, “I wasn’t there either.
I was hoping to have more time with Eugene Torre during the reception but a previous commitment may have forced him to
skip the dinner afterwards.
At any rate, it filled one with great pride
to have finally met a true bearer of the
torch for Philippine sports, a man of unsurpassed passion and commitment to his
discipline, and a Filipino who crosses global
boundaries with every move he makes.
Eugene Torre’s voice also would no longer be unrecognizable over the phone.
Globalport
polo tilt on
Games Today
(Calatagan, Batangas)
2:30 p.m. – Globalport
vs Polo Escape
3:30 p.m. – San Miguel
vs Los Tamaraos
San Miguel and Globalport are
out to provide the early fireworks
as both teams want nothing but
resounding wins in the opening
of the 2015 Globalport Philippine
Polo Championship today in two
venues in Batangas.
Reinforced by Argentineans
Mariano Obregon and Santi Lujan, Mikee Romero’s Globalport is
slightly favored over Polo Escape
when they clash at 2:30 p.m.
The fourth member of Globalport is long-hitting Adrian Garcia
who is known for his all-around
game.
With all six participating teams –
the other two are Tang Polo-China
and Thailand’s King Power – playing only two games in the elims,
Romero said they ought to start
strong to boost their confidence.
“We have to play smart to
achieve our goal which is to win
convincingly. If we win by a big
margin, our desire to win the title
will also increase,” said Romero,
who once again showed his persuasive power by luring some of
the richest and influential businessmen in the Asian region.
That’s also the target of Iñigo
Zobel’s San Miguel when it takes
on Los Tamaraos at 3:30 p.m.
with the former determined to
add the Globalport tournament to
its growing list of titles.
With Zobel scoring two early
goals, San Miguel won the Philippine Open Polo Championship
last year by beating Globalport,
9-4.
Romero said they have already
put that loss behind them and
are eager to avenge the defeat at
San Miguel.
Romero’s optimism is understandable following a positive
session the other day.
“The chemistry is almost there,”
he added.
Like Globalport, San Miguel is
also beefed up by Argentineans
Gregorio Gelosi and Guillermo
Cavanagh. The other member of
the team is Alfie Araneta.
Leading Polo Escape are Robin
Lourvanijo and Miguel Ayala while
Cole Aguirre, Gus Aguirre and
Lucas James will spearhead Los
Tamaraos.
The six teams will be divided
into two zones with GlobalportPhilippines, Tang Polo-China and
Polo Escape-Thailand comprising
Zone 1 while Zone II will be comprised by San Miguel, King PowerThailand/UK and Tamaraos-Australia.
The top finishers in both zones
will clash in a winner-take-all final
on Sunday.
Sports
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
15
Salle clinches
Officials inspect sites La
UAAP chess title
of PH training center
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The plan to give national athletes a more conducive training
center takes a step forward after
officials from the Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC), the Philippine
Olympic Committee (POC), the
Senate, and the Congress made
an ocular inspection on two venues in Pampanga and Tarlac.
PSC Chairman Richie Garcia
and POC President Jose “Peping”
Cojuangco led the inspection of
the two venues along with House
Committee on Sports Youth and
Development Chairman Anthony
Del Rosario and its Vice Chairman, Pampanga Representative
Yeng Guiao, as well as Felizardo
Colambo, Executive Assistant to
the Office of Senator Edgardo
Angara.
The group first looked into the
50-hectare land inside the Clark
Base in Pampanga being offered
by the Clark International Airport Corporation, and then the
34-hectare land in Capaz, Tarlac
suggested by the Bases Conversion Development Authority.
Cojuangco and Garcia initially
expressed their interest on the
piece of land inside Clark due to
its atmosphere and accessibility
that are fit for athletes’ training.
“We just want to explain to everybody the importance of a conducive national training center for
the success of our athletes that is
why we are pursuing this,” Garcia
said. “We want to tell this body
that we are very much interested
in the property of CIAC.”
“It will be good to have a sports
facility on our immediate plans
and to develop a sports complex
within a residential area that is
good for the community,” Garcia
added.
Aside from inspecting the venues, the group also discussed with
CIAC President and CEO Emigdio
Tanjuatco III concerns that may
arise if the plans push through.
Del Rosario and Guiao, however, are optimistic that the government will support this project
particularly those in the Senate.
“This is for national interest,”
Guiao said. “We feel that there is
really a great need for us to have
a new and modern sports complex for our athletes and other
sports stakeholders.”
At present, national athletes
are staying and training at the
Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
and the Philsports Complex located in congested cities Manila and
Pasig. Most of its facilities and living quarters were outdated.
Centennial III wins race
Judes Echauz steered Centennial III across the finish for a win
edging defending champion Hong
Kong’s Reichel/Pug 76 Jelik in the
sixth Standard Insurance Subicto-Boracay Race (SBBR) Sunday
afternoon off Boracay in Malay,
Aklan.
After churning up the waves
and sailing a highly and tactical battle, Centennial III scored
the IRC Racing Class with a time
27:37:39 while Frank Pong’s Jelik
is a close second with 27:45:06.
The race is a 200-mile ISAF
Cat 3 offshore race, and started
off the Lighthouse Marina Resort,
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, last Saturday noon.
Depending on the size of the
boat, the race takes between 2040 hours.
Finishing third is Malaysia’s
Ulumulu skippered by Troy Yaw
and Jeremy Koo with 28: 11: 52
while highly-regarded Hong Kong
sailor Geoff Hill and his Antipodes
placed fourth with 28: 13:32.
American Race Officer Jerry
Rollin said Ragamuffin 90-Dubois
Kia...
(From page 16)
Alaska mentor Alex Compton
expects the same tough game,
considering the situation of the
two teams fighting to make it to
the next stage of the conference
with Kia currently at ninth spot
while the Aces are at No. 10 with
only the top eight will advance to
the playoffs.
“I think both teams will play
very hard,” said Compton. “For
the first time in their short time
in the PBA, Kia has a distinct advantage in having an absolutely
dominant import in PJ Ramos.”
“Ramos is a problem for anyone
to handle, and the local players
are all stepping up and making
plays as well. So far it has been
an excellent conference for Kia,”
added Compton, who will also
rely on local players Sonny Thoss,
Calvin Abueva, Jvee Casio, Dondon Hinriveros and rookie Chris
Banchero.
As for Kia, the 7-foot-4 Ramos,
who averages 34 points and almost 2- board per game, will be
the focal point for the Carnival
while backing him up are LA Revilla, Mark Yee, Leo Avenido and
Reil Cervantes.
Clashing at 7 p.m. are Barako
Bull (4-3) and Philippine Cup
champion San Miguel Beer, which
is out to win its remaining four
games to stay in playoff contention. SMB fell to 1-6 after a 113105 overtime defeat to Purefoods
last Sunday.
90 Custom-designed and skippered by David Witt arrived in
fifth with 28: 37:48 and veteran
campaigner and 2013 winner
Karakoa lead by Ray Ordoveza is
sixth over-all with 28: 42:44.
In the Racing Class 2, elite
Singapore sailor Jonathan Mahony and his Zandibar Hydirc42desiged managed the race with
28: 48: 19; he was followed by
two Hong Kong campaigners -EFG Mandrake skippered by
Fred Kinmonth and Nick Burns (
28:48: 19) and placing third is
Vineta steered by Helmuth Hennig (29:19: 02).
Behind the foreign sailors are
local competitors Centennial II
helmed by Martin Tanco (30:
42:32) and placing fifth with 31:
39: 04 is Selma Star commandeered byJun Avecilla, according
to Rollin.
Action in the waters of Boracay won’t stop upon completion of the SBBR as sailors will
splash back into competition
with the Boracay Cup Regatta
which started yesterday up to
March 6.
Stakes in the race are high as,
according to Commodore Ricky
Sandoval, chair of the organizing
committee, of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing, it will be
part of the basis for yearend honors in the Asian Yachting Grand
Prix Circuit.
Final standings: Men - DLSU
40.5, AdU 37.5, UST 33.5, FEU
30.5, NU 30.5, ADMU 23.5, UP
17, UE 11.5. Women - FEU 44,
DLSU 43, UP 31.5, NU 27.5, UST
23, AdU 21, UE 17, ADMU 17.
De La Salle hammered out a
3-1 victory over Adamson University to end a decade-long wait
for the men’s division crown at
the close of the UAAP Season
77 chess tournament Sunday at
the Henry Sy Sr. Bldg. inside the
DLSU campus.
NM Jerad Docena and Franz
Grafil starred for the Green Woodpushers in the final round, frustrating the Falcons’ bid to clinch
their first title in 25 years.
With 40.5 points, La Salle annexed its seventh title overall to
tie University of Santo Tomas as
the second winningest squad behind Far Eastern University’s 14,
and the first since 2004-05 season with John Paul Gomez lead-
Gilas coach
graces PSA
Forum today
The national teams in basketball and tennis headline Tuesday’s
special session of the Philippine
Sportswriters Association (PSA)
Forum at Shakey’s Malate.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin makes his very first appearance in the weekly forum as he
discusses the plans and programs
to be undertaken by the national
men’s team as it prepares for the
FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship
campaign that serves as qualifier
to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Accompanying him is Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Deputy Executive Director for International
Affairs Butch Antonio.
Meanwhile, also appearing
in the session aired live over
DZSR Sports Radio 918 and presented by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s, and the Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corp. is
the PH Davis Cup team led by administrator Randy Villanueva and
members of the squad seeing action in the Asia-Oceania Group II
tie against Sri Lanka.
Completing the special guests
list are Azkal player Chieffy Caligdong, Pru Life UK’s Belle Tiongco, and Spears-Sports president
Albert Almendralejo as they talk
about the Football For A Better
Life Program.
ing the way.
Docena was named the tournament Rookie-MVP in the men’s
division.
Adamson, with 37 points,
achieved a second consecutive
runner-up finish. The Growling Tigers finished 33.5 points in third
spot, while the deposed champion
Tamaraws are out of the podium,
crashing to fourth place with 30.5
points.
The Lady Tamaraws, meanwhile, ended the Lady Woodpushers’ four-year reign in the distaff
side, spoiling the Taft-based
school bid for a rare championship double.
Despite a 1.5-2.5 loss to La Salle in the 14th round, FEU gained
enough cushion to bag its second
women’s crown with 44 points.
The Lady Woodpushers settled
for second place with 43 points.
The much-anticipated top
board duel between WIMs Jan
Jodilyn Fronda and Janelle Mae
Frayna ended in a draw, but
the Lady Tamaraws secured the
championship after Shania Mae
Mendoza defeated fellow WFM
Cherry Mae Mejia in Board 2.
Frayna, who beat Fronda in
their first round meeting, took
home the season MVP honors,
while Mendoza bagged the Rookie of the Year plum.
Among the gold medalists in
the men’s division are IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Ateneo (Board
1), La Salle’s Docena (Board 2),
Adamson’s Kevin Labog (Board
3), UST’s Christian Flores (Board
4), La Salle’s Nigel Galan (Board
5) and Justin Corpin of University
of the Philippines (Board 6).
FEU’s Frayna (Board 1), La Salle’s Mejia (Board 2), WIM Bernadette Galas also of La Salle (Board
3), FEU’s Venice Vicente (Board
4), FEU’s Nikki Yngayo (Board 5)
and Cyamie Villanueva (Board 6)
are the gold medal winners in the
women’s side.
In the juniors division, National
University claimed the crown with
37.5 points, beating FEU-Diliman
(33) and Adamson (32).
NBA results
L.A. Clippers 96, Chicago 86
Houston 105, Cleveland 103, OT
Portland 110, Sacramento 99
Charlotte 98, Orlando 83
Indiana 94, Philadelphia 74
Golden State 106, Boston 101
Oklahoma City 108,
L.A. Lakers 101
New Orleans 99, Denver 92
SPORTS
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
Kia battles Alaska today
Editor: REY C. BANCOD • Assistant Editor: TITO S. TALAO
CLEVELAND Cavaliers’ LeBron James, left, goes to the basket as Houston Rockets’ Josh Smith tries to knock the ball away in overtime of an NBA basketball game in Houston. The Rockets won 105-103. (AP)
Rockets blast Cavs
HOUSTON (AP) – James Harden has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers all season for the
Houston Rockets.
Given the chance to go head to
head with one of his biggest competitors for the award, Harden and
the Rockets came out on top.
Harden scored 33 points and
Cleveland star LeBron James
missed a pair of free throws with
4.2 seconds left in overtime,
helping the Rockets hold on for
a 105-103 win over the Cavaliers
on Sunday.
Harden dismissed any talk that
the performance was some sort
of statement about the league’s
MVP award. “Every game is a
statement for me,’’ said Harden,
who leads the NBA in scoring.
“I’m just out here trying to prove
myself – trying to win games.’’
It’s worked well so far. Harden
has led the Rockets to five straight
wins, a 41-18 record and the third
seed in the Western Conference
with fellow star Dwight Howard
out with a knee problem.
James hit a 3-pointer with 43.5
seconds left to get Cleveland
within one. Harden and James
got tangled up on Houston’s next
possession, but no foul was called
and the shot clock expired.
James drove into the lane and
was fouled by Josh Smith, but he
missed both free throws to finish
3 for 11 at the line.
“There is no excuse. I missed
free throws,’’ James said. “I missed
the two biggest ones of the game
to put us up with seconds on the
clock and I didn’t come through. I
failed my teammates.’’
Harden, who had his 26th 30point game this season, added a
free throw and Cleveland missed
a 3 at the buzzer.
James finished with 37 points
after resting during Friday night’s
93-86 loss at Indiana. He returned
for a chippy contest that had multiple technicals and a flagrant foul
by Harden on James.
“It was old-school basketball,’’
James said. “When you have two
teams with the same aspirations
and trying to get better every
day, it can get like that.’’
A long jumper by J.R. Smith
put Cleveland in front in overtime, but Houston scored the
next five points. Patrick Beverley
made a go-ahead 3 and Smith hit
two foul shots to make it 104-100
with 2:21 remaining.
The Cavaliers had a chance for
the win in regulation but James
held the ball until right before
the buzzer and his jump shot
bounced off the rim. Kevin Love
had 21 points for the Cavaliers,
who played their second game
without point guard Kyrie Irving,
who has a left shoulder strain.
The loss ended Cleveland’s 10game winning streak against the
Western Conference and prevented the Cavs from moving into first
in the Central Division. Cleveland
has won 18 of 22 but has dropped
two straight.
James and Beverley got into a
brief skirmish in the second half
after Beverley fouled James on
a shot. With both players on the
ground, James pushed Beverley
down as he tried to get up and
Beverley pushed him back. The
players were separated and both
were given technical fouls.
Harden got a flagrant foul
when he kicked in the direction
of James’ crotch as he fell as
James tried to grab the ball from
him late in the third. James was
pulled away from Harden as he
screamed at him, and Brewer
and Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson both received technical fouls
from the ensuing argument.
“That’s not a basketball play
and the league will probably take
a look at it,’’ James said. “I have
no idea why he would do that.’’
Harden said it was just a reaction.
By WAYLON GALVEZ
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – Alaska vs Kia
7 p.m. – Barako Bull vs
San Miguel Beer
Kia is hoping to win two of its
last three matches to advance
into the playoffs in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Carnival begin their drive
against Alaska Milk at 4:15 p.m.
today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kia is coming off a 115-104 loss
to Blackwater Saturday as it failed
to give coach Manny Pacquiao a
rousing send-off.
Kia holds a 3-5 win-loss record
while Alaska sports a 2-4 record.
In the other game, San Miguel
Beer takes on Barako Bull at 7
p.m.
It is the last playing date before the PBA goes on a break for
the annual All-Star Weekend on
March 5-8 in Palawan.
Pacquiao called the shots when
the Carnival bowed to Blackwater.
He left for Los Angeles, California after the game to report for
training at the Wild Card Gym in
preparation for his blockbuster
fight against the unbeaten Floyd
Mayweather Jr. on May 2 in Las
Vegas, Nevada.
“Of course, there is always extra
motivation, extra energy if coach
Manny is there with the team,” said
Kia assistant coach Chito Victolero.
“But we can’t do anything about it
now that he’s in the US.”
“Our motivation right now is to
make the playoffs, and we have
a good chance,” Victolero said.
“The goal is to win two of our last
three games. If we can win three,
much better for us, but we’ll try
to get two.”
“We’re focusing first on our
game against Alaska, which is
crucial for us since both teams
are fighting to get to the next
round,” added Victolero, who
wants the team to focus on defense on Alaska.
After its game with Alaska, Kia’s
plays NLEX on March 18 and Rain
or Shine on March 22.
Alaska is on a two-game skid
and the team has yet to score
a win since replacing import DJ
Covington with former NBA player
Damion James, a member of the
2014 NBA champion San Antonio
Spurs.
James is averaging 33.5 points,
13.5 rebounds and three blocked
shots per game, although the Aces
lost to Rain or Shine (99-89) in his
first game last Feb. 20 and to Barako Bull (93-91) four days later.
(Turn to page 15)