15 new COVID-19 cases bring total to 202

MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen more individuals were confirmed to have contracted the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total to 202 as of noon Wednesday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

As of this writing, the DOH has not given details on the 15 new COVID-19 patients.


Meanwhile, three more patients were also reported to have recovered from the disease.

Among those who have recovered is a 24-year-old Filipino man from Makati (PH15) who has a travel history to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He was admitted to a private hospital last March 7 and was discharged last Sunday, March 15, after testing negative twice for the virus.

A 34-year-old Filipino man from Camarines Sur (PH26), one of two Filipinos aboard the MV Princess Diamond cruise ship who tested positive for COVID-19 last March 10, has also recovered from the disease.

Another 34-year-old Filipino male from Quezon City (PH13) with a travel history from Australia was discharged last Sunday after recovering and testing negative twice for COVID-19.

He was admitted on March 6 and tested positive of the virus on March 9.

The World Health Organization declared the disease as a global pandemic after it killed nearly 5,000 people and infected 110,000 others worldwide.

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.

The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.


Coronavirus is a family of viruses, which surfaces have a crown-like appearance. The viruses are named for the spikes on their surfaces.

Most people who have COVID-19 can recover as its symptoms are mild, such as fever and cough. But the illness can be more serious for others, possibly leading to pneumonia, especially the older adults and those with existing health problems.

newsinfo.inquirer.net

Chilean President Bachelet ends fruitful visit to Manila

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has left the country following her attendance to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit and a state visit.

Bachelet left with her black military plane back to Chile on Thursday night.

Government officials were at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 to send off Bachelet.

In her four-day stay in the country, Bachelet was able to speak about women’s issues, guest in the Apec CEO Summit, and sit with other leaders of the 21 member-economies at the Apec Economic Leaders’ meeting.

She also met with President Benigno Aquino III where they signed a memorandum of understanding on disaster risk reduction management.

They also signed a letter of intent on conducting a joint study exploring the possible benefits of a free trade agreement between Manila and Santiago. RC

source: globalnation.inquirer.net

MAC’s new lipsticks will turn you into a Valli girl

When it comes to MAC collections, you snooze, you lose.

Fans of the brand are so quick to snatch up new releases that collections sell out in a flash.

The latest one, and the reason many lipstick lovers hit the malls bright and early on September 1, is MAC’s collaboration with Giambattista Valli.

The Paris-based Italian designer has won over fashionable women with creations that combine elegance and whimsy, timelessness and femininity. Stars like Amy Adams, Charlize Theron, Lena Dunham, Reese Witherspoon and Rihanna have been spotted wearing his designs on the red carpet. Jessica Biel wore a petal pink Giambattista Valli gown when she married Justin Timberlake.

Now, MAC fans around the world will get to enjoy Valli’s aesthetic with his collection of six lip products which, he says, was inspired partly by an interview David Letterman did with Anna Wintour. “Letterman asked, “How can you change the wardrobe of a woman with just $20?” Anna replied, “You go out and pick a brand new lipstick.” I thought that was so brilliant. So my idea was to put together the Valli colors — reds, pinks and fuchsia — hues that fit any kind of personality.”

There are five matte lipsticks in the collection, all named after friends he grew up with, his Valli girls—independent, stylish women who enjoy freedom and do their own thing. Valli said, “Their personality makes them a leader.”

Bianca B is a pale white-pink. Tats is a bright hot pink. Margherita is a yellow bright peach, Charlotte is a rich yellow-red and Eugenie is a dark cherry with blue undertones.

There’s also a Crystal Glaze Gloss called Lena, a clear gloss with multicolored pearl that can be layered over lipstick to make it shine.

We love that the bullets show the color of the lipstick inside, making it easy to know which one to grab and swipe on for a little Valli girl vibe.

MAC X Giambattista Valli is available at MAC Glorietta, Rustan’s Shangri-La, SM Mall of Asia, Trinoma, Rockwell, Ayala Center Cebu, Eastwood, Alabang, SM Aura, Megamall, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place Manila, SM Makati and SM North Edsa.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

2 die after drinking milk tea in Manila

Two people died on Thursday after drinking milk tea from a tea house in Sampaloc, Manila, Radyo Inquirer 990AM said.

The report said one of the victims, Suzaine Dagohoy, and her boyfriend Arnold Aydalla complained to the owner of the ErgoCha store that the Hokkaido-flavored milk tea they bought tasted different.

The owner of the tea house, Wiliam Abrigo denied the claim and even tasted the milk tea to prove that there was nothing wrong.

However, both Abrigo and Dagohoy fainted. All three were rushed to a nearby hospital but the two were declared dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, Aydalla is still confined in the hospital and in critical condition. IDL

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

One Direction, minus one, takes Manila by storm

MANILA, Philippines–Murphy’s Law, or “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong,” may have caught up with English-Irish boy band One Direction (1D) as it performed without one key member, Zayn Malik, on Saturday night at SM Mall of Asia (MOA) open grounds in Pasay City.

The last of the group’s two-date concerts in Manila, part of its 2015 On the Road Again tour, will be held Sunday night at the same venue.

A statement from 1D management ascribed Malik’s failure to join the concerts to “stress,” though it wasn’t specified whether he was suffering from any ailment.

What seems to be more apparent is that Malik—regarded as the most vocally proficient member of 1D—has been worried stiff about his relationship with his fiancée, Perrie Edwards of the British girl group Little Mix, who has reportedly walked out of their shared house after she caught him cheating with another woman during the 1D concert in Bangkok a few days ago.

On Wednesday, Malik posted a cryptic message on his Twitter account: “I’m 22 years old … I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there’s a lot of jealous people in this world I’m sorry for what it looks like x.”

The object of Edwards’ ire has been identified as Lauren Rich, who was seen posing with Malik (whose right hand is touching Rich’s bare waist) in an Instagram photo that has been circulating on the Internet.

‘Super strict’

In any case, the group’s security in Manila has been described as “super strict” by Philippine media; TV crews had waited for the arrival of 1D’s other members—Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson—at 1 p.m. Saturday but were unable to get clear footage, much less a word or two, because the entourage’s private plane headed straight into a private hangar and the group was whisked into waiting cars.

The arrival of the members of the band was kept under wraps that even as the reported time the plane was expected to land approached, media affairs personnel at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) said they had “no advice” on the flight details.

The lack of information on the group’s arrival prompted fans to wait for their idols at the MOA grounds instead of welcoming them at the airport.

The result was business as usual at Terminals 1 and 3. Passengers went about their business and the number of security personnel deployed appeared the same, as though no VIP was expected to arrive.

A Terminal 1 airport security member told the Inquirer that no word was given about a foreign boy band arriving there.

Reporters, on the other hand, tried to approximate where exactly the plane carrying 1D would land.

Some reporters positioned themselves inside the press office at Naia Terminal 1, while others made the rounds at Terminal 3 in the hopes of capturing on video or in a photograph the arrival of the popular boy band.

Other reporters left for MOA instead, saying they had better chances of taking a photograph or a video of the boys.

Confirmed arrival 

In the end, it was Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesman Eric Apolonio who confirmed the arrival of the band members, although he said he was unsure how many arrived on the plane.

“But if it’s just one flight, the four of them are on the same plane,” he said.

Apolonio said that based on a report he received, the band members arrived on a “private jet” and landed on the Aeges hangar, beside the presidential hangar near Terminal 3.

He said the hangar where the band members landed was where American President Barack Obama’s Air Force One also landed when he visited the country recently.

“If it’s a private plane, it’s the customs and the immigration officers who go there and process their documents,” Apolonio said.

He said after the plane landed, the band members went straight to the vehicles waiting for them and went straight to the hotel.

No surprise

Asked if the CAAP was taken by surprise by the group’s arrival, Apolonio replied in the negative.

He said the CAAP already received information that the band’s flight plan would be filed with them beforehand.

He said it was filed on the same day, before 1:55 p.m.

“It’s just normal for users of private planes to file their flight plans on the same day,” he said.

“OA” (overacting) was how security arrangements were narrated by a female representative of Smart, the country’s leading telecommunications company, which is said to have poured in more than P100 million as the Manila concerts’ main corporate sponsor.

“Sorry, 1D management did not allow any photos [to be taken],” Smart public affairs head Mon Isberto told the Inquirer in a text message.

Concert promoters, composed of officers from Music Management International and Ovation Productions, issued the following advisory to prevent confusion and untoward incidents among the audience, mostly composed of female adolescents and teeners:

General guidelines

Only patrons with the official event access card will be allowed entry. Fake tickets and fake access cards will be detected.

Exchange your tickets to official event access card prior to going to the concert grounds. Patrons or guardians without official event access card will not be allowed inside the concert grounds.

Keep your official event access card with you at all times. For security purposes, reentry will not be allowed.

Please bring a valid ID or any form of identification aside from the official event access card.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed. Food and drinks are available inside the venue.

Pay attention to the announcements and list of prohibited items.

Large bags including backpacks and waist packs are subject to inspection.

Please take note that the sound during One Direction’s performance will be of high level. Attendees, especially small kids, are recommended to bring ear defenders.

Entry reminders

Reserved Seating sections (VIP and Diamond) and Free Seating sections (Titanium and Gold) are open to all ages. Parents and guardians are responsible for the safety of their companions.

For VIP access cardholders, claiming of VIP Hot Package is located inside the VIP section. Please have your official event access card and ID ready.

Standing sections (Silver and General Admission/Bronze) are limited to 12 years old and above only. Valid ID with birthdate should be presented upon entry.

Attendees aged 12 to 16 should be accompanied by an adult with an official access card. No valid ID, no entry.

The following will be asked to sign a waiver before entry: pregnant women; and parents and guardians of children below 4 feet or 12 years old.

Access cards

For those who have not claimed their official event access cards yet, booths will be set up at the North Wing, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia: Ground floor, near TGIFridays; and Second floor, near IMAX lobby.

Prohibited items 

Professional video and photo cameras (SLR with detachable lens 3 inches and above)

Cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs

Umbrellas (Raincoats/ponchos will be available for sale inside the venue.)

Big posters, flags, banners, placards, signages (A3 size or 12 x 18 inches and above)

Laser pens, pointers and flashlights;

Weapons and any sharp objects;

Candles, air horn, fireworks and any kind of pyrotechnics;

Glass or PET bottles, cans, hard plastic containers, water coolers, thermos and the like

Large chains, spike bracelets, wallet chains, large metal belt buckles

Blankets, hamper and cold boxes

Scooters, skateboards and skates

Chairs of any type.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

The G-Shock Manbox awaits lucky winners

MANILA, Philippines—Casio fans should brace themselves for an exciting promotion as the watch giant has prepared a special treat for its Filipino enthusiasts with The Manbox.

In the course of three months, a total of 60 winners will be announced, each winning a limited edition G-Shock Manbox Set.

The highly coveted timepiece showcases a perfect merging of modern gadgetry and historical traditions through its design and specifications.

The GA-110F-2JR’s “pop color” factor stays true to designer Nakano Shirou’s specification for G-Shock’s gizmo-like functions. Meanwhile, it also has impressive specifications that can easily rival any timepiece out there, quartz or automatic:

    Magnetic and Shock Resistant
    Water resistant of up to 20 atmospheric bars (200 meters)
    1/1,000 seconds stopwatch function, full automatic calendar

As a special treat to G-Shock fans, the GA-110F-2JR watch also comes with a matching G-Shock Man in matching colorways.

To get a chance to win your very own G-Shock Manbox Set, simply buy a Casio watch from any selected Casio dealer nationwide, where customers will be given a scratch card upon purchase. To qualify, enter the unique code in the scratch card via SMS or thru the raffle promo’s website, www.manboxpromanila.com.

Buy more Casio watches for better chances of winning this special timepiece and watch out for the announcement of winners on the following dates:

    March 16, 2015
    April 16, 2015
    May 18, 2015
 
For more information and updates, please visit the Casio Watches Philippines Facebook page (facebook.com/CasioWatchesPhilippines), Twitter and Instagram pages (CasioWatches_ph). For registration concerns, please contact hotline number 8401574. Visit www.manboxpromomanila.com for more details.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Cinema from Venezuela at Instituto Cervantes

MANILA, Philippines—The Embassy of Venezuela, Instituto Cervantes and the Embassy of Spain present the film cycle “Cine de Venezuela”, a series of Venezuelan films to be shown from the 3rd to the 6th of December at the Instituto Cervantes theater in Manila.

The cycle will kick off on the 3rd of December, at 7:30 pm, with one of the most popular movies of contemporary Venezuelan cinema –the film “El manzano azul,” directed by Olegario Barrera in 2012. It relates the story of Diego, an 11-year-old city boy who has to spend his summer in the countryside of the Venezuelan Andes with his grandfather whom he hardly knows.

With no high-tech gadgets, he is miserable and bored. One day, he discovers an odd blue apple tree and meets a young girl in which he takes a strong liking to. Through a series of misadventures, Diego grows closer to his grandfather and learns to live life differently.

Along with that opening film, the line-up of “Cine de Venezuela” features two more movies tackling some of the issues of contemporary Venezuelan society.

“Hermano,” directed by Marcel Rasquin in 2010, is about two young men who have been raised as brothers and look to their soccer skills as a way of getting out of their slum. While a scout is in town, an act of violence threatens to tear them apart.

The film has enjoyed a very successful career in film festivals around the world. It won the Special Jury Prize at the 2010 Havana Film Festival and the Colón de Oro in the Huelva Latin American Film Festival. It also bagged the Audience Award in the Moscow International Film Festival, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, and the 2011 Lima Latin American Film Festival.

“Hermano” will be shown on the 6th of December (Saturday), at 2 pm.

The film series will be closed by the movie “Patas arriba” (Alejandro García Wiedemann, 2011), screened the same day, at 4pm. In a small mountain town, the widow Renato teaches his six-year-old granddaughter the importance of the small things in life, the value of friendship and the respect towards other people’s views. Renato´s health is quickly deteriorating, so his daughters have decided to send him to a hospital against his will. But he has other plans. With the help of his granddaughter, he plans to escape and sail from Venezuela to Brazil, as he once promised to his deceased wife.

All movies will be shown in their original version in Spanish with English subtitles. The screenings will take place at the Salón de Actos of Instituto Cervantes, 855 T.M. Kalaw, Ermita, Manila.

Entrance is free admission on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information please log on to Instituto Cervantes’ website www.manila.cervantes.es or www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila, or call 526-1482.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Mariah Carey receives ‘incredible welcome’ upon arrival in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – An “incredible welcome.” That’s how Mariah Carey described the reception she got upon her arrival in Manila on Monday morning.

The international diva, who is in the Philippines for a concert, was greeted by screaming fans at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Carey herself posted a short video on Instagram of the crowd, with the caption “Just arrived in Manila at 3 a.m.”

The fans were holding signs and chanting the singer’s name. At one point, some of them could be seen running toward her as an aide shoots the video.

Later she posted, “Thank you #Manila #lambily for the incredible welcome. I love you much!!! Can’t wait to see you at the show!!”

Lambily refers to her fans, whom she calls “lambs.”

Her “The Elusive Chanteuse Show” will be held on Tuesday, October 28, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The last time Carey held a concert in the Philippines was in 2003.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

What do I do when I see a ghost?

In less than a week’s time, I got no less than four e-mails letters from readers concerning the third eye and seeing spirits of the dead. All involved individuals from 3 to 32 years of age.

One came from a worried aunt named Aliw, about her two nieces, ages 9 and 19, who can see and talk to spirits, especially relatives who have died.

She said she is aware of the dangers of these gifts, and would be willing to fly from Mindanao to bring the children to me for consultation and guidance. She said she would be in Manila in November and requested a Saturday meeting because the children are going to school.

The second letter came from a 27-year-old woman named Andrei who could clearly see spirits of the dead but not elementals. Her ninang, whose third eye is also open, has confirmed all her descriptions of the spirits she’s seen.

“Recently,” Andrei said, “I saw a woman in our house. She was not doing anything, actually. She was just sitting on the sofa. My ninang confirmed my sighting and explained she could be from the past, even before the previous owner’s time. We bought this house from distant relatives. I read an article of yours where you said ghosts may not be from the house but from the ground where the house was built.

“My other friend confirmed to me that there was a woman she saw in our house when she visited me during my birthday. The woman even called her name through the mirror in our dining room. My friend’s description, however, differed from that of my ninang. My friend said she might be a fairy, since was glowing, and my friend did not feel any fear of her. A protector, perhaps?”

Andrei mentioned other encounters she had with the unseen world. Her questions:

    * How would you know that you are ready for this kind of power?

    * I am afraid of ghosts, or any paranormal activity. But at the back of my head, I want to explore this so    I will know how to respond to it.

    * What will I do if I see a ghost?

No school 

No one is ever ready for these powers. There is no school that teaches how to recognize and prepare for them, except perhaps my seminars, public lectures and articles I write.

There are other groups offering these subjects, too, but I don’t how know their methods or philosophy. You may want to explore those, too.

It is quite natural to be curious about these things. Given proper guidance, there’s nothing wrong with pursuing this study. Just be sure you are guided by somebody really competent, ethical and trained for it.

What should you do when you see a ghost? If it is nonthreatening and looks harmless, just talk to it and find out what it wants from you. The worst thing you can do is to be afraid of it because if you do, you are giving it power over you.

The third letter came from 32-year-old Chi, who confesses to being a big fan of this column. Chi says that when she was in college, she saw spirits everywhere and got used to it. Some came in dreams and gave messages, or asked for prayers. She could also tell what would happen and prevent some of them.

“Now that I am 32, I don’t often see ghosts anymore, especially when under stress. My question is, how can I reopen my third eye? ”

My dear Chi, actually the so-called third eye cannot be closed. You still have it because it is part of your personality. The third eye is nothing more than clairvoyance, and everybody is clairvoyant to a greater or lesser degree.

The thing that happened to you is that, as you grew older, you shifted your attention to more mundane and material things, which is quite natural.

You have to be concerned more with survival than with seeing ghosts. You shifted from the predominantly intuitive right brain thinking when you were young to the more rational and critical left brain thinking when you grew older.

You can regain your spiritual sight through regular meditation and becoming sensitive again to what’s inside you.

The fourth letter came from 25-year-old Karen, who said she has read all the books I have written. A psychology graduate, Karen is wondering why she can see and talk to spirits of the dead only in dreams, but not when awake.

Dreams

When her father died after a heart attack, she saw him in her dreams, and he gave her specific instructions to carry a heavy bag to the top of something. “He said I had to carry it because it was my bag. The setting was like Grand Central Station in New York. I couldn’t understand what that dream meant.”

Karen, psychic powers manifest in various ways, some in one’s waking state, others through dreams. Some spirits, specially those of relatives, usually manifest only in dreams so as not to scare the person.

I suggest you keep a dream journal so you don’t forget your dreams, especially those with specific messages or instructions. The meaning of the dream you related above will become clear to you in due time.

Note:

Attend the next Inner Mind Development Seminar on Oct. 11-12, 2014 at Rm.308 Prince Plaza I, Legaspi St. Legaspi Village Greenbelt Makati. Call 8107245 or 0908-3537885.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Buddha-Bar Manila launches ‘Win a Maserati Promo’

MANILA, Philippines — Dining in luxury has never been this rewarding. Buddha-Bar Manila, the ultimate restaurant and lounge of style, sophistication, and power, brings you the grandest car giveaway via the “Win a Maserati Promo”.

The country’s top dining and party destination, Buddha-Bar Manila is set to launch the biggest offering of the year by giving away a Maserati Ghibli. After the massive success of the “Drink.Dine.Drive promo” where Buddha-Bar Manila raffled a Jaguar XF, comes a more luxurious surprise to metro diners and party philes, as Buddha-Bar Manila parks the most raved Maserati Ghibli on its grounds, teasing every guest who could be the next superstar hitting the road.

Maserati Ghibli 2014, launched earlier this year with commercial tagline “Now We Strike,” is expected to dominate the auto industry worldwide with its top of the line features and excellent service. An assurance of everyday driving enjoyment, the Maserati Ghibli 2014 attracts everyone’s attention with its emphasis on sporty glamour and sharp personality at the same time.

The Maserati Ghibli 2014 is noted for its silhouette that includes front and near mudguards merging into a single central form for a stronger and sleeker look. The world anticipates Maserati Ghibli 2014 as it hits the road with its key features like the Maserati Touch Control (MTC) screen display, equipped with the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound system, and a WLAN technology turning your Maserati into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Making everybody’s dream car come true, Buddha-Bar Manila gives you the chance of owning a Maserati Ghibli 2014 possible. Buddha-Bar Manila’s “Win a Maserati Promo” entitles you to drive the hottest car in town and experience Buddha-Bar Manila’s sumptuous Pacific Rim menu. For a single receipt of P3,000 on a la carte or P25,000 on banquet events, diners and guests get a chance to win a brand new Maserati Ghibli.

Revolutionizing dining and partying in the country, Buddha-Bar Manila pushes for greater ideas, making every visit an experience of a lifetime, with Buddha-Bar Manila’s “Win a Maserati Promo,” your indulgence is worth it. Dine and drive in elegance and style on at Buddha-Bar Manila.

To know more about the “Win a Maserati Promo,” please contact 856-6859 and 856-6719 or visitwww.buddhabarmanila.com

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

PH, US to sign access pact Monday

 MANILA, Philippines—Washington and Manila have reached a 10-year pact that would allow a larger US military presence in the Philippines as it grapples with increasingly tense territorial disputes with China, according to two Philippine officials and a confidential government primer seen by The Associated Press on Sunday.

The Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation, which would give American forces temporary access to selected military camps and allow them to preposition fighter jets and ships, is due to be signed Monday at the Department of Defense, shortly before the arrival of US President Barack Obama, the officials said. Obama’s two-day visit is the last leg of a four-country Asian tour that also took him to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.

The two officials spoke with AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details of the pact ahead of its signing.

“Yes, you can say we got what we wanted,” a ranking government official told the Inquirer. “After 10 years, the agreement may be renewed or not renewed,” said the source who likewise requested anonymity. The term of the agreement was one of the contentious points of the deal, the source said.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg are to sign the agreement at 10 a.m., just a few hours before Obama arrives in the country.

A Philippine government primer on the defense accord did not indicate how many additional US troops would be deployed “on temporary and rotational basis,” but it said the number would depend on the scale of joint military activities to be held in Philippine camps.    




‘Military occupation’

Militants slammed the agreement, saying it “ushers a new period of military occupation.”

“We condemn in the strongest terms the brazen treachery of the Aquino regime which is set to sign tomorrow the US-PH Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, just before the arrival of US president Obama,” said Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes in a text message on Sunday.

A nationwide protest is set against the defense pact and Obama’s visit in the country.

He said the deal is an “obvious gift of a puppet president to his imperialist master.”

“Aquino now gains the distinction of reversing the gains from the rejection of US bases in 1991. He ushers a new period of US military occupation, underscoring our country’s status as a neo-colony. We will fight this new foreign imposition,” Reyes also said.

Hundreds of American military personnel have already been deployed in the southern Philippines since 2002 to provide counterterrorism training and as advisers to Filipino soldiers who have been battling Muslim militants for decades.

The Philippine Constitution bars permanent US military bases. Under the agreement, a Filipino base commander would have access to entire areas to be shared with American forces, according to the primer.

Disagreements over Philippine access to designated US areas within local camps had hampered the negotiations for the agreement last year.

Better coordination

The agreement would promote better coordination between US and Filipino forces, boost the 120,000-strong Philippine military’s capability to monitor and secure the country’s territory, and respond to natural disasters and other emergencies.

“Prepositioned materiel will allow for timely responses in the event of disasters—natural or otherwise,” the primer said.

The presence of foreign troops is a sensitive issue in the Philippines, a former American colony.

The Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to close down major US bases at Subic and Clark. However, in 1999, it ratified a pact with the United States allowing temporary visits by American forces. That paved the way for hundreds of US forces to hold counterterrorism combat exercises with Filipino troops dealing with insurgents in the country’s south.

This time, the focus of the Philippines and its underfunded military has increasingly turned to external threats, as territorial spats with China in the potentially oil- and gas-rich South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) have heated up in recent years. The Philippines has turned to Washington, its longtime defense treaty ally, for help to modernize its Navy and Air Force, among Asia’s weakest.

Chinese paramilitary ships took effective control of the disputed Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal), a rich fishing ground off the northwestern Philippines, in 2012. Last year, Chinese coast guard ships were deployed to another contested offshore West Philippine Sea territory, Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), where they have been trying to block food supplies and rotation of Filipino marines aboard a grounded Philippine Navy ship in the shallow waters of the remote coral outcrops.

Pivot to Asia 


The Philippines’ desire to bolster its territorial defense has dovetailed with Washington’s intention to pivot away from years of heavy military engagement in the Middle East to Asia, partly as a counterweight to China’s rising clout.

Such convergence would work to deter China’s increasingly assertive stance in disputed territories but the question that begs to be answered remains whether Washington would come to the rescue of Manila if its territorial claims over part of the West Philippine Sea escalate into an armed conflict with Beijing.

Obama is to arrive at 1:30 p.m. Monday. Hounding him throughout his trip to Asia is the question on how he would reassure allies of Washington’s support amid China’s expansionism and growing military and economic influence in the region.

It’s the same question that will confront him when he and President Aquino face the media in a joint press conference in Malacañang at 3:25 p.m.

Prior to facing reporters, Obama and Aquino will sit down for an expanded bilateral meeting.

“President Aquino will convey the country’s vision for an enduring and strategic Philippine-US partnership that will be characterized by modern, mature and forward-looking bilateral relations,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a radio interview.

He said this would center on “three major fronts: strengthening political and security cooperation, expanding trade and investments, tourism and development cooperation, and deepening people-to-people ties.”

Mutual defense pact 


Coloma did not say exactly how the new defense agreement with the United States would help the Philippines in its territorial conflict with China. “Our view is that our good coordination with them will continue and so will their commitment to be one with our country in the aspect of national defense based on the existing treaty,” he said.

Coloma was referring to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which the Palace considers the foundation of the new defense agreement with Washington.

Article 5 of the treaty states that “an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.”

“In guarding the West Philippine Sea and our exclusive economic zone, we have to do it on our own,” defense analyst Antonio Custodio told the Inquirer. “We should not expect a blank check from the United States,” he said, pointing to the standoff at Scarborough Shoal in 2012. “We lost Scarborough Shoal to China. Where was the United States?”—With reports from Christian V. Esguerra and Nikko Dizon of PDI, and Frances Mangosing of INQUIRER.net

source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Binondo makeover under way

MANILA, Philippines—The plan to rehabilitate Manila’s Binondo district—the biggest and oldest Chinatown outside of China—could be as basic as getting rid of the spaghetti wirings, scrubbing the grime off the facades of buildings and introducing Chinese decorative elements.

But the plan also includes proposals to build a “vendors’ paradise” and parking structures over the esteros, according to Manila Councilor Bernie Ang.

Ang is the vice chair of the Manila Chinatown Development Council formed by Mayor Joseph Estrada to oversee the renewal of Binondo and develop it into a tourist destination.

“We want the old buildings to change their facades so that the aesthetics will be Chinese,” Ang told the Inquirer. “Architect Simeon Tan will suggest how to do it using the cheapest materials available in China and Hong Kong.”

Tan said building owners could use Chinese characters on signs, introduce Chinese décor and architectural elements like red paper lanterns and roof tiles, and use the colors red, emperor yellow and green.

The proposal also includes construction of a new Chinese-Filipino friendship arch, tourist information centers at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz and Plaza Sta. Cruz, parking structures and vending stalls over the Tetuan and San Fernando esteros, and expansion of the Gandara police station.

Vehicular traffic could also be rerouted to make Ongpin Street pedestrian-friendly and attract more visitors to do walking tours of the town.

Quick fix
In a separate proposal, Kelsey Ngo, president of Pinwheel Media Group Inc., suggested a quick fix: Give Binondo a face-lift by putting on outdoor stickers bearing Chinese motifs. These stickers last at least five years, according to Ngo. His project portfolio includes Filinvest City and Greenhills Promenade.

Ang said the city government would ask the Chinese government to support the Chinatown project.

“By next year, we will see physical changes in Binondo,” he said.

The four umbrella organizations of the Chinese community—Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Charitable Association, Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Philippine Chinese Business Club—have agreed to support the city government’s development plan.

Unified celebration

The groups used to hold separate celebrations of the Lunar New Year but this year, with Jan. 31 being declared a special nonworking holiday and the city government spearheading the festivities for the first time, Estrada asked them to hold a unified celebration.

A solidarity dinner was held at the Lido de Paris Hotel on Ongpin Street on Thursday night, followed by a countdown at 11:15 p.m. In Chinese tradition, a day is divided into 12 cycles, with the first cycle, the start of the day, running from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., according to Ang.

The countdown and the musical fireworks display were held at Plaza Sta. Cruz in front of the North Gate on Ongpin Street.

On Friday afternoon, a solidarity parade featuring at least 20 dragon and 100 lion figures will pass through the five gates of  Chinatown. The dragon dance parade ushers in prosperity, according to Ang.

With at least 5,000 people expected to participate, the parade could stretch to 3 kilometers, he said.

Parade route

The Chinese umbrella groups donated 6,000 boxes of tikoy to be distributed at the start of the parade at 1 p.m. at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz.

From there, the parade will proceed to Juan Luna Street, turn left to Plaza Cervantes, right to Quintin Paredes, left to Escolta, left to Plaza Sta. Cruz, right to Ronquillo, left to Ongpin, left to Sabino Padilla, right to Quintin Paredes, right to Ongpin, left to Sabino Padilla, left to Soler, left to Reina Regente and end at Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Traffic will be stopped on major streets on the route of the parade. Congestion may be expected at the southern and northern approaches to MacArthur Bridge and Jones Bridge and on the south and north sides of Rizal Avenue and Quintin Paredes.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Everyone is invited to Hi-5 House Party

MANILA, Philippines—Hi-5 debuts their new cast line up in Australia with a brand new stage show.

Stevie and Lauren welcome newcomers Dayen Zheng, Ainsley Melham and Mary Lascaris to the stage in a Dance Party extravaganza. Hi-5’s favorite friend DJ Chats will be the “party meister” spinning discs and keeping everyone on their toes.

This is Hi-5’s first live “concert style” stage show and after a big shout out to fans of over 100,000 on Facebook to find out their most loved songs, the show will feature Hi-5’s most popular song line up. It also features a sneak-peek at songs featuring in the new revamped series “Hi-5 House” due to have a world premiere in Australia and New Zealand on Nickelodeon on December 6.

Classic favorites such as L.O.V.E and “Ready or Not” will have audiences singing along and joining in with the new songs like “Dance with the Dinosaurs” and “Come On In” performed for the very first time on stage.

Look forward to joining in the familiar party games—with a Hi-5 twist of course with your favorite friends—there is even a limbo competition. And of course, there are lots and lots of music and dancing, because that’s what the Hi-5 House is all about – it’s a non-stop dance party.

With so many interactive elements the audiences are definitely part of the party fun. So put on your party clothes and dancing shoes and get ready for Hi-5 House Party!

Hi-5 is one of the top three most successful pre-school television shows in Australia and has held this position for 10 years. The series are classified within the educational requirements for preschool television by Australian, British and American Broadcast Authorities and is known for helping children learn through play, whilst bearing in mind curriculum requirement for early childhood education. Hi-5 reaches a global audience of 1,000,000 children.

Tickets to Hi-5 House Party in Manila on December 13 to 15 at the SM Aura’s Samsung Hall are now available at all SM Tickets outlets, visit www.smtickets.com or call 374-9999 and 470-2222. Presented by Hi-5 and Wilbros Live.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

New US envoy to Philippines sworn in

WASHINGTON – US Ambassador to the Philippines Phil Goldberg hastily took his new post Thursday so he could head to Manila and help coordinate America’s aid to the typhoon-shattered nation.

“As we struggle to respond to this human disaster, we’re proud that we’re sending to the Philippines the right person for the job,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said as he swore in Goldberg.

So far, the US has delivered about 1,780 tons of food, with about 13,000 US forces helping to deliver the goods to the stricken areas devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan on November 8.

“We are going to continue to work to try to reach these devastated areas,” Kerry said, adding that Goldberg had accelerated his departure to leave for Manila on Monday.

The top US diplomat also thanked the Senate for rushing through Goldberg’s confirmation, “because we want to have our ambassador on the ground in the Philippines to deal with the challenges of emergency assistance.”

The official death toll stands at 3,976 with 1,602 people missing. The United Nations estimates up to four million people have been displaced, of whom only 350,000 have found shelter in evacuation centers.

Goldberg said he was taking up his new diplomatic posting with “mixed emotions.”

While he was honored to be the next US ambassador, “it’s hard to think of the suffering of so many people in the Philippines in recent weeks and all they’ve endured without a touch of sadness and without being moved,” Goldberg said.

But he paid tribute to the Filipino spirit, saying the people are “warm, but they’re also tough and resilient. There should be no doubt that they will bounce back. I have no doubt.”

source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Pope’s online evangelist in town

MANILA, Philippines—The papal social media manager is now in Manila to echo the Vatican’s call to bring Christ into the digital world.

Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, will be the keynote speaker at the 2nd Catholic Social Media Summit which will be held from Nov. 23 to 24 at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila.

Organized by YouthPinoy, the conference aims to promote online evangelization, using the Internet and social media as a pulpit to proclaim the Gospel.

Fr. Francis Lucas of the Catholic Media Network said that the summit which is already in its second year is very important especially now that the Church is “entering a digital world where we should be involved and present.”

Tighe, who led the team that coordinated the creation of the Papal Twitter account, @Pontifex, urged netizens to use the new media in promulgating the social action and social justice that the Catholic Church promotes.

“I think the great thing that we should do with the social media is to show the people what is happening. We need to show in social media that the Church is active in serving the poor, active in teaching, that the Church is also active in hospitals and in healthcare,” he said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Tighe acknowledged the negative side of social media, “the abuses, the bullying and the harassment. The thing is, let us change that by being present online in a positive way, supportive of dialogue that recognizes the goodness of other human beings,” he said.

Tighe cited how social media was used by people around the globe to show their solidarity, sympathy and support for the Filipinos, especially for the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

He said the Vatican “joins the Philippines and the Filipino people in solidarity over the recent calamities.”—With Maricar B. Brizuela

source: technology.inquirer.net

So you want to be a fashion designer of the 21st century

Aside from attending the vocational classes at Slim’s or Madonna’s School of Fashion, I and most of my peers are also considered “self-taught” or “self-educated.”

By “self-taught” I mean someone who started some 30 or 40 years ago, bought fabrics and sewing tools in Divisoria or Castle store, borrowed clothes from their mom or aunt to copy, and started experimenting until they got it right.

The “self-educated” were those who would commute to Alemar’s, Goodwill or even Peco (Philippine Education Company) to read more books on pattern-making and draping.

During leisure moments, they would read hardbound books about fashion icons and designers such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Greta Garbo, or designers such as Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne.

My generation’s icons were Thierry Mugler, Azzedine Alaia and Jean Paul Gaultier.

There were no websites to surf then.

As fashion school costs a lot, the most fortunate are those who are “formally educated,” who went through an associate degree or four-year Bachelor’s degree in a prestigious design and arts school abroad.

What works best

Which works best for the current generation?

This generation is quite lucky to have schools, vocational and degree programs right in Manila.

There are different methods, and what  works best for you depends on what your goals are.

Here are three scenarios:

You want to start your own fashion house. You will be the next Inno Sotto. With so many foreign brands and successful designers, how can an aspiring one be competitive?

Given today’s mall and retail environment, do take the “formally educated” route—with work experience—before you start your label. Otherwise, your short-lived fame will need an amazing public relation person or company that does not come cheap.

Second scenario, you want to start your fashion company but you’re not interested in getting involved in the fashion industry; you just want a controllable size of business. You just want to design and produce clothes for a particular niche market.

You can take technical classes on garment construction and apprentice somewhere and do “self-study” on professional manufacturing processes.

From there, you can find subcontractors or manufacturers that do work for different brands.





Last, you want to work for an established fashion house and going to school is not an option. You will have to start from the very bottom, must be willing to work for free or minimum wage for a while.

Being “schooled” is no guarantee of landing a good-paying job or instant rewarding experience, but it will open doors for you. You still must look for internship somewhere.

’70s

With good work credentials and credibility, you will need a financier interested in your design and brand, if your family is not ready to invest in your dreams.

As a fashion designer, I tend to analyze fashion, where it came from and where it is going.

In the ’70s, I imagined how futuristic our clothes would be in 30 to 50 years. With high-technology fabrics, clothing is much easier to maintain now and is designed for mobility.

But in terms of design, I’ve always thought that textile-related fashion didn’t go as fast-forward or as futuristic as architecture and furniture design. Maybe, anything designed for the body can’t take the drastic change and abuse that technology or the trends could produce, while the earth can take the abuse of more and more high-rises and constructions?

Not to deviate from fashion, fashion designers in fashion capitals have always been using history as reference.

Rei Kawakubo

The last designer who was influentially radical was Rei Kawakubo, the Japanese avant-gardist and creator of the trailblazing brand Comme des Garçons. In the early ’80s, she turned the fashion scene totally in a different direction, inventing deconstruction and use of distressed fabrics.


Her colors were predominantly black.
Today, who seem to be moving forward and are innovative are Belgian designers.

The first batch of successful designers was called the Antwerp Six. This refers to the influential avant-garde fashion designers who graduated between 1980-1981.

In 1986, the breakthrough happened. The Antwerp Six rented a truck and went to the London Fashion Fair with their collections: Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs, Marina Yee and Walter Van Beirendonck.

Their fashion collections were radical and distinct. This established Antwerp as a notable location for fashion design.

Martin Margiela is another Belgian contemporary, who had moved to Paris. He worked for Jean-Paul Gaultier in 1985-87. He started his own label in 1989. He was also the creative director for Hermes from 1997-2003.

Then he went into partnership with another successful garment entrepreneur that lasted for years.

Galliano to Raf

He is known to be the most discreet designer, shunning publicity.

Replacing John Galliano, another known Belgian is Raf Simons, now the creative director for Dior women’s line, while Kris Van Assche is designer for Dior menswear. His experience of the incongruity of wearing black tie in an art fair held on the beachside actually struck him and has influenced him in mixing the formal and the informal  at Dior.

My curiosity about today’s breed of fashion designers drove me to visit Antwerp, a city I found to be understated, relaxed and elegantly casual both in its lifestyle and attitude. I was lucky to catch the exhibit of first-year students of the Royal Academy of Arts, Fashion Program.

The topic was the study of the shape of a skirt—a prerequisite to pass the first year of their fashion degree.

The “Shape Study of a Skirt” focused on three artistic subjects: pattern-making, graphics and  fashion design.

Every freshman had to hurdle the first obstacle course in designing a skirt. The design must be related to his concept of fashion.

3D

The musts: the skirt, shaped in relation to the body, done in two and a half months; must be one skirt that can function, be mobile and wearable, even if it doesn’t look like it does.

The students were encouraged to be as creative and bold to experiment—using a uniformly coarse cotton, very much like our katcha but a thousand times more dense.

In making their project, some couldn’t yet handle the sewing machine, the skirts instead were impeccably hand-sewn.

Not to forget the last requirement: It must be 3D.

Even if they looked like works of  art, they were classified as  “design,” and they were designed to be mobile. Design had function.

It was a humbling experience to see the impeccable work of these young students. One was reminded that good design is the application of basic principles.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Palace leaves Napoles issue up to senators

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Sunday said it would steer clear of the Senate caucus called to decide whether or not to subpoena businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles to its inquiry into the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it was the senators’ call whether or not to compel Napoles to appear at the blue ribbon committee inquiry.

With Napoles expressing reservations and, at the same time, willingness to cooperate with authorities, the senators would be in the best position to decide on the matter, Valte said.

“It is a matter that is completely under their province,” she said over government-run dzRB radio.

Senate President Franklin Drilon had earlier said that the senators would meet in caucus on Monday to tackle the touchy issue of summoning Napoles to the blue ribbon committee hearing.

Napoles is accused of operating a scheme where some legislators’ pork barrel are funnelled to fake nongovernment organizations, after which the legislators and Napoles allegedly split the cash. At least five senators and over 30 House members have been implicated in the multibillion peso scam.

Congress resumes sessions Monday after a two-week recess.

After advising the Senate committee against compelling Napoles to testify, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said she was deferring to the senators’ “collective wisdom” to decide the matter. After this, Drilon said he would call a caucus on the matter.

Morales, in a Sept. 27 letter to Drilon, said she was standing by her earlier opinion that it wasn’t advisable for Napoles to appear at the Senate inquiry ahead of the hearing of the plunder complaint against her.


‘Senate is supreme’
But Morales said she recognized the Senate’s authority, and deferred to the senators to decide.

“That the Senate is supreme in its own sphere was never meant to be challenged. I thus submit to the collective wisdom of its members,” she said in a letter to Drilon.

When the blue ribbon committee resumed its inquiry in late September, committee chair Sen. Teofisto Guingona III castigated Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for not bringing in the whistle-blowers. De Lima answered that their appearance would telegraph the prosecutors’ punches in the plunder complaint against Napoles.

However, when Guingona issued a subpoena for them to appear at the next hearing, De Lima complied.

For the same hearing, Guingona also forwarded a subpoena for Napoles to Drilon for his signature, but the latter declined to sign it. He said the Ombudsman had advised him not to bring Napoles to the Senate inquiry.

Morales had asserted that the publicity that would be set off by Napoles’ testimony would affect the public interest and prejudice the safety of the witnesses and the disposition of the cases against her (Napoles).

The National Bureau of Investigation has filed the first set of complaints against Napoles, three senators and 34 others in connection with the alleged scam.

Guingona said Drilon was wrong to seek the Ombudsman’s opinion on the matter, insisting that the power of the Senate was supreme.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Houston Rockets trounce Pacers

Midway through the fourth period, Omri Casspi rescued a miss with a wild tap that turned into an extra possession for the Houston Rockets. There was a drive by Jeremy Lin, there was an extra pass after an extra pass and then Casspi capped the fun sequence with a three-point play that got a lot of love from his bench.

If that was any indication at all, this could be how the Rockets will look once the season rolls along: Deeper than last season, fast and quite enjoyable to watch.

Houston started hot and stumped the Indiana Pacers with a lot of pace en route to a 116-96 victory last night in the NBA Global Games preseason match at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Rockets scored the first 12 points of the game—within the first three minutes of the opening period—and never allowed the Pacers to get any rally going to notch the victory.

“We wanted to get out to a good start,” said Rockets coach Kevin McHale. “We set some defensive goals and the first unit gave us a strong start defensively.”

The game had preseason written all over it. Both teams were far from the forms their coaches want them to be once the regular season rolls around. But there was still enough action to excite the crowd.

Fans cheered a dunk by Dwight Howard, the newly acquired Rockets center, and strong scoring finishes by Houston star James Harden. They roared when Jeremy Lin did anything at all and reserved a lot of cheers for forward Chandler Parsons, who became a crowd favorite after rumors that he went out with a popular Filipino actress.

Indiana had its share of supporters also. Paul George worked up the crowd with back-to-back treys to fuel a strong Indiana reply late in the first quarter. Danny Granger, who spent last season on the injury list, got a lot of cheers when he checked in as a sub.

But as the Rockets started to pull away, there was little reason for Pacers fans to applaud.

“Tough loss,” said Indiana coach Frank Vogel. “Houston had a lot of speed. It’s early in the season and our guys are still struggling in transition.”

Mostly, that Indiana transition defense struggled because the offense allowed Houston to run a lot.

“Our defense was phenomenal,” said Harden “We got stops, [forced] turnovers and that allowed us to get easy points.”

Vogel, though, did see something he liked: With a little more time, George and Granger could wreak havoc this season.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Couple charged with estafa for selling fake smartphones online

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina policemen have filed charges against a couple who were arrested earlier for allegedly selling counterfeit smartphones online.

A statement from the Eastern Police District identified one of the suspects as 18-year-old Bernadette Mandapat, also known as Ayessa Enriquez and Berna, and a resident of Pigeon Street in Barangay Malanday (village), Marikina City. She was arrested with Duane Allen Mossman, 20, a resident of Goodrich Village in Barangay Concepcion Uno, Marikina City.



The two were accused of estafa and other forms of deceit under the Revised Penal Code by Reina Carla Angeles after they allegedly sold her a counterfeit smartphone.

Investigation showed that the victim purchased a black Samsung Galaxy S4 from the two through their account on the online selling website sulit.com.ph. Angeles said she paid the couple P30,000 on Aug. 31 during a meet-up at a mall in Marikina City.

However, when Angeles brought the phone to a Samsung retailer in Masinag, Antipolo City, she found out that it was not an original but only a clone.

She reported the fraudulent transaction to the Marikina police and showed them a certification from Samsung as evidence.

As part of the entrapment operation, the victim bought another phone from the couple who were arrested on Sept. 21 when they met up with Angeles at a branch of a fast-food chain in Barangay San Roque, Marikina.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Rockets, Pacers can’t wait for their NBA Global Games in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers are just as giddy as their basketball-crazy Filipino fans when both teams play in Manila for the 2013 NBA Global Games Philippines this coming October 10.

“There has been a lot of talk about the Filipino passion for basketball from those who have visited and played the game over there. We can’t wait to experience it first-hand,” said Rockets head coach and one of the best big men in league history Kevin McHale.


“We’re just excited to come over to play the game and give Filipinos a great show. I’m excited and happy to be back in Manila and see familiar faces. Fan base is amazing over in the Philippines. The crowd is unbelievable,” marveled Rockets star guard James Harden, who was last here in July for the NBA 3X.

The first-ever NBA Preseason game in Southeast Asia, to be played at the Mall of Asia Arena, will also mark the debut of All-star center Dwight Howard in a Rockets uniform.

Howard opted not to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after a disappointing season and instead decided to join forces with rising star Harden and swingman Chandler Parsons — transforming the Rockets from a playoff team to a championship contender.

The Pacers, led by the trio of Paul George, Roy Hibbert and David West, also had a busy offseason.

After falling just a game short of dethroning the Miami Heat in the 2013 Playoffs, the Pacers hope that their new acquisitions in veteran big man Luis Scola, dead-shot forward Chris Copeland and point guard CJ Watson can finally get them over the hump.

Also giving the Pacers a boost this season is the return of their injured swingman Danny Granger.

Both the Rockets and Pacers underwent major changes in their rosters and interestingly, Manila gets to see these new-look squads in action first.

source: sports.inquirer.net