WEDNESDAY, February 10, 2010 Vol. 3 No. 175 • 8 pageswww.commuterexpress.ph

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CAMPAIGN KICK OFFBagumbayan standard bearers Richard Gor-don and Bayani Fernando ride the ‘Trans-former’ truck during the start of their cam-paign trail in Cavite. Gordon and Fernandovow to transform the country into a betternew with their combined motto of politicalwill, honesty and dedication. TEDD TEDD TEDD TEDD TEDDY PY PY PY PY PELELELELELAEZAEZAEZAEZAEZ

TUTUBAN MALLWELCOMES THE

YEAR OF THEGOLDEN TIGER PAGE 6

Wednesday, February 10, 20102

MANNY B. MARINAYEditor in Chief

JONATHAN P. VICENTEManaging Editor

LEA G. BOTONESNews Editor

CHONG P. ARDIVILLAOverall Creative Director

HECTOR L. LOZANOChief Layout Artist

TONETTE HENSONEVPEVPEVPEVPEVP, Sales & Marketing

MARIO L. ADELANTEAccounting Manager

RAUL B. PEREZCredit & Collection Manager

EDISON B. CAMARINESDistribution Manager

EDWIN A. COProduction Supervisor

VICTOR A. CALUAG,President and CEO Published Monday

to Friday bySilverstreamPublishing Corp.Suite 2111 CitylandHerrera Tower, ValeroStreet, Salcedo Village,Makati CityTelephone Nos.8873435 • 8873433• 8451653 • Email:cx.editorial@gmail.com

Ang iskandalosong NBI agentTUMAWAG sa inyong

SHOOTER ang ilang residenteng PEARL OF THE ORIENThigh rise condominium namatatagpuan sa Roxas Blvd.sa Maynila dahil labis na rawsilang naiiskandalo sa mgapag-aasta ng isang NBI agentna isa ring unit owner ngnasabing condominium.

Ang pangalan daw ngiskandalosong NBI agent ay BongBongcaling. Ang pinakahulinginsidente ng pag-iiskandaloumano ni Bongcalin ay nangyarinoong Biyernes, February 5.

Bitbit daw ni Bongcalingang isang Bush Master (M16)rifle at may nakasukbit itongcalibre 45 sa kanyangbaywang habang palakad nglobby at pasakay ng elevatorpatungo sa kanyang unit.Naka-sibilyan daw siBongcaling ng mga oras naiyon. Madalas daw itonggawin ni Bongcaling.

Para sa isang pangkar-aniwang NBI agent maituturingna iskandaloso din daw anglifestyle ni Bongcaling. May-arisiya ng dalawang condo unitdoon. Ang isa ay ginawa niyangtirahan na nagkakahalaga ngP8 million samantalang ang isanaman ay ginawa niyangopisina na kanyang inuupahannaman sa halagang P100 thou-

sand kada buwan, ayon pa rinsa mga nagsusumbong.

Nangongolekta raw ng bigbike si Bongcaling. Mayroonsiyang tatlong Ducati atdalawang Yamaha Fazer. Angisang Ducati ay maaringnagkakahalaga sa P1 millionpataas at hindi naman bababasa P500 thousand ang bawatisang Yamaha Fazer. Ang ser-vice daw ni Bongcaling ay isangbrand new Toyota Fortuner nanagkakahalaga ng P1.4 million.Kung minsan nakikita rin dawsiyang nagmamaneho ngChevrolet Suburban at BMW.Ang mga sasakyang ito ay hindibababa sa P3 million ang halagang bawat isa.

Kabibili rin lang daw niBongcaling ng isang lotemalapit sa Chinese GeneralHospital sa Maynila nanagkakahalaga ng P9.5 millionna patatayuan daw niya ngcommercial building.

* * *Kabaliktaran naman ni

Bongcaling itong isang govern-ment official dahil ayaw niyangmaiskandalo, ayon sa isangsource. Di tulad ng kanyangkapatid na madalas mapaba-litang na-lilink sa mga high pro-file showbiz celebrities, itong sigovernment official ay kuntentonang tumangkilik ng mga GROsa mga sikat na KTV club paramakaiwas sa iskandalo.

Mahilig sa bata atmestizang petite na GRO sigovernment official.

Once a week, isang tauhanni government official angsumusundo sa club sa GRO namagiging partner ng kanyangamo bandang 7 p.m. atpagkatapos ay dadalhin ito sakanyang yate. Saka ibabalikang babae sa madaling arawbago mag-closing time.

Wala naman daw sanangproblema ayon pa sa source,pero ubod daw ng barat si gov-ernment official at weirdo pa.Minsan pinagamit muna rawni government official angisang GRO sa isa niyangtauhan bago niya kinatalik ito.At habang katalik daw niyaang babae, panay ang tanongniya dito kung nag-enjoy ba itosa kanyang tauhan. Angmasaklap, P3,500 lang dawang binayad ni governmentofficial sa nasabing GRO!

Bigo na masilayanOKEY! Nagsimula na ang

unang araw ng kampanya ngmga kandidato para sahalalan sa Mayo 2010.

Okey na okey na may kanya-kanyang lugar kung saanunang mangangampanya angmga kandidato para sa presi-dential at vice presidential race.

Si Senador Benigno“noynoy” Aquino Jr. at SenadorMar Roxas, standard bearersng Liberal Party, ay ginawa angkanilang “campaign salvo” saConcepcion, Tarlac, sinaNacionalista Party betsSenador Manuel “Manny”Villar at Senador LorenLegarda ay nagsimula ngkampanya sa Laguna, Sinadating Presidente Estrada at

Makati City Mayor JejomarBinay, kapwa ng Partido ngMasang Pilipino, sa PlazaMiranda.

Sina Lakas-Kampi-CMDparty standard bearers GilbertTeodoro at Edu Manzana aysinimulan ang kanilang 90 daycampaign sa Antipolo, Rizalhabang sina Senador RichardGordon at Bayani Fernando,ng Bagumabayan, ay ginawaang kanilang campaign kickoff sa Cavite.

Sobrang okey dahil maykanya-kanyang estilongginamit ang mga kandidato ngmga partido. Napasaya rin nilaang mga tao sa mga lugar nakanilang pinuntahan.

Okray ang marami sa mga

“sumugod” dahil hindi angmga presidentiables ang ninaisnilang masilayan subalit angmga tangay ng mga itong ce-lebrities of mga artista.

Okray na okray dahilhanggang ngayon, marami parin sa mga botante angnadadala sa mga ngiti at awitng mga nag-eendorso sa mgakandidato at hindi angplataporma de gobyerno ngmga kumakandidato angpinagbabasehan sapagtangkilik ng kandidato opagboto.

Okey ang prinsipyo ninaGordon at Fernando na hindisila gagamit ng mga artista osikat sa larangan ng movieindustry sa halip ay gagawinnila ang lahat ng kanilangmakakaya upang makuhaang boto ng mgamamamayan.

Halimbawa ng okray nacampaign salvo ay angnangyari kay Aquino sa Tarlacdahil mas hinanap ng mgakababayan ni Noynoy angkanyang kapatid na si KrisAquino, host ng “The Buzz”at bida sa “Kung Tayo’y

SHOOTERSHOOTER

Ni Raffy Tulforaffytulfo@pldtdsl.net

STREETSMARTNi Jonathan Vicente

HATS off, to Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalosfor bringing in 42.25 billion worth of investments to hiscity in 2009. Despite the global economic crisis,Mandaluyong dubbed as the “Tiger City Economy in thecountry” posted a more than 300% increase in investmentsas against the 13 billion in2003. Proof, that the Abalosstyle of effective leadershiphas won the confidence ofinvestors flocking andpouring their monies inMandaluyong City, theemerging business hub ofthe country. Abalos trum-pets his administration’s total income that increased byP355 million or 25.5% since 2006. He said that in 2009alone, the city generated a total income of 1.9 billion whichis 13.28% or P222 million higher than 2008.

“This development is attributable to the steady rise inthe number of new businesses particularly multi-nationalcompanies in the city.” Mayor Abalos said.

What made Mandaluyong” the blue-eyed boy” in high-profile investment is its pioneering approach in improvingits services. In fact Mandaluyong has spearheaded thesuccessful implementation of the Standard BusinessRegistration Procedure which aims to speed up thebusiness registration process and issuance of permits. “Allit takes is a matter of 15 minutes,” Abalos said with asmile. With investments continue pouring in,Mandaluyong City is able to provide employment oppor-tunities to its constituents, fact is, a total of 23,839 cityresidents have been employed since 2007 up to 2009.

Kakaiba din naman tumakbo itong isip ni Benhur, bakitkamo? Part of his city’s blueprint project is the construc-tion and redevelopment of the Garden of Life Park inBarangay Vergara, which has a one-stop-shop facilitiestagged as “4C”- Cemetery, Columbarium, Crematoriumand Chapel. Napaka-simpleng proyekto kung iisipin at dina dapat pag-aksyahan ng panahon ng isang Mayor nagaya ni Abalos, pero napakalaking ginhawa ang dulotnito kung tutuusin para sa mga namatayan kayaipingawa niya. Abalos puts priority on basic yetindispensible projects like TEACH (Theraphy, Education,Assimilation for Children with Handicap), a learninginstitution for the underprivileged children. It has baggedthe 2008 Panibagong Paraan Award for its innovativeprogram given by the World Bank.

This year marks a twin celebration for Mandaleños –65th Liberation Day and 16th Cityhood Anniversary.Hooray for Mayor Benhur Abalos and his Tiger City!Mabuhay ang lahi mo!

Tiger City roars on its65th Liberation Day

Magkakalayo.” Mabuti na langat kasama ni Mar ang kanyangmaybahay na si Korina kaya’tkahit paano ay nagingpampalubag loob siya sa mgasumalubong kay Noynoy atMar sa Tarlac.

Medyo okray din dahil “noshow” din sa unang araw ngkampanya ni Aquino angkanyang girlfriend na siShalani Soledad, konsehala ngValenzuela City.

Napalis naman angpagkaka-okray ng mga tao nadumalo sa misa at maging angpari ay natigilan at sa iisangdireksyon tumingin nangtumigil ang isang sasakyan nainakalang lulan si Kris subalitang bumaba sa Toyota van ay

si Koko Martin, kasamahan niKris sa Primetime Bida.

Nabigo mang masilayan siKris ay nakabawi na rin angmga tao nang maakit sila samaamong mukha ni Koko.

Okey na rin dahil binigyangkatwiran ni Aquino angpagkawala ng kanyangbunsong kapatid sa okasyondahil abala umano ito satrabaho subalit hindi pa rinnakakalimutan na tulungansiya sa kanyang kampanyalalo na sa info ads.

* * *Pinakaokey pa rin sa lahat

ay ang mga taong nakaalalasa mahalagang pangyayari sabuhay ng inyong abanglingkod. Maraming salamat!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 3

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyowants administration party standard bearerGilberto Teodoro Jr. to be “his own man” whenhe campaigns for his presidential bid in theMay 10 elections.

Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr., duringa press briefing, said the President “deliber-ately decided that Gibo stands on his own.”

“Gibo is campaigning on his own capa-bilities and he hardly mentions the Presidentin his campaign sorties,” he said. “Let’s re-spect that.”

Icban said the former Defense Secretary couldcarry the banner of Lakas-Kampi-CMD well inthe campaign period that started yesterday.

The President, Icban said, was very busyin her tour of the super regions, particularlyin her legacy communications campaignaround the country. Alex Balcoba

GMA: ‘Gibostands on his own’

THE Department of Foreign Affairs saidyesterday the remains of a Filipina whodied in the rubble of a collapsed buildingin Haiti will be brought home upon therequest of her family.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Mi-grant Workers’ Affairs Esteban B. Conejos,Jr. said the family of Mary Grace Fabianrequested the DFA to have her remainsbe repatriated.

Earlier, Ms. Fabian’s sister Rosalyn,who is based in Port-au-Prince, asked thather body be immediately buried in Haitiafter it was recovered by the task force as-sisting in the search and rescue efforts forFilipinos and other nationals affected bythe 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struckPort-au-Prince in January.

Ms. Fabian’s body was recovered lastFebruary 7 in the rubble of the CaribbeanSupermarket in Haiti.

Fabian was positively identified byLowel Lalican, husband of GeraldineLalican, another OFW still trapped un-der the rubbles of the supermarket. Fabianwas identified through her uniform, hairand necklace.

The Philippine contingent in Haiti iscontinuing recovery efforts for Lalican inthe Caribbean Supermarket area.

Lorna Gamboa

Pinay found dead inHaiti, to be repatriated

‘TRANSFORMERS’ WON’T USE CELEBS

Relatives of 43 health workersseek habeas corpus from SC

RELATIVES of the 43 healthworkers asked the Supreme Courtto immediately order the releaseof the 43 health workers who weredetained inside Camp Capinpinin Tanay, Rizal.

In the 15-page Very UrgentPetition for Habeas Corpus, rela-tives of the health workers led byKarapatan Deputy Secretary Gen-eral Roneo Clamor, whose wifeDr. Merry Mia-Clamor is one ofthe 43 doctors taken by the mili-tary asked the high court to im-mediately order the release of the43 health workers.

Petitioners said for three days,they were denied of their right tosee their relatives. It was only onMonday, through the interventionof the Commission on HumanRights Chairperson Leila De Limawere they allowed to see their rela-tives for about 30 minutes.

Clamor said their relatives told

them they were blindfolded andtortured and forced to admit thatthey are members of the commu-nist party. He said some of the 43were limping while others havebruise marks in their body.

In their petition, they told theSupreme Court that the militaryused a defective search warrantwhen it entered into the premiseswhere the 43 health workers wereundergoing community healthtraining over the weekend.

The search warrant indicatedthe name of a certain MarioCondes as owner of the propertyto be searched. Condes is alleg-edly suspected of committing il-legal possession of firearms. How-ever, petitioners pointed that if theowner of the place to be searchedis Condes, why did the militaryentered and search the premisesowned by Dr. Melecia Velmonte.

Ampie Galpo

THE dynamic duo ofBagumbayan-Volunteers for aNew Philippines Partylaunched yesterday their po-litical campaign in the placewhere Filipinos achieved thefirst victory of the revolution—the Battle of Imus in Cavitethat was led by Colonel JoseTagle, the great grandfatherof Bagumbayan presidentialcandidate Sen. Richard Gor-don.

Gordon and Bagumbayanvice presidential candidateBayani Fernando on Tuesdaywent around the towns ofCavite, trailed by at least 100vehicles, and proceeded toImus Central Plaza, where

thousands of volunteer-sup-porters joined them for thecampaign rally.

“We are launching ourcampaign in Cavite becausethis is the cradle of the revo-lution. The first victory of therevolution was here, led bymy great grandfather, Col.Jose Tagle,” Gordon said.

“We have to look at thepast with pride, so that wecan look at the future withconfidence and hope. It is thesacrifices of yesterday’s he-roes that make us the newheroes of today and tomorrow.We must all be heroes now,”he stressed.

Gordon said that their

“transformers” tandem in-tends to run a campaign thatwould focus on having a dia-logue with the people and an-swering the questions of thepeople in town hall meetings. Fernando added that they willrun a creative campaign thatwould allow them to send theirmessage without having tospend much. He also said thatthey are not going to rely onendorsements of celebrities.

Gordon explained thatthey are not afraid with themoney, pedigree and popular-ity of other candidates be-cause they have outstandingtrack records to offer to thepeople.

BIR intensifies inheritance tax collectionTHE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on

Tuesday said it would run after the heirs andbeneficiaries of dead people to ensure pay-ment of estate or inheritance tax.

BIR Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres said thestate had been losing billions of revenues fromestate taxes.

The National Statistics Office recorded1.2 million deaths from 2004 to 2006, butbased on BIR records, only 85,872 estatetax returns had been filed from 2007 to2009 .

Estate tax is imposed on inherited prop-erty and assessed on the net value of a de-

ceased persons’ estate before distribution tothe heirs.

Tan-Torres said the BIR would monitor com-pliance with the law on estate tax, which foryears had not been given much attention.

Estate tax collections reached P2.38 bil-lion in 2007 to 2009.

According to the BIR official, the bureauexpects to collect P10.7 billion once compli-ance is properly monitored.

“There is a large potential to increase thenumber of estate tax returns filed, once thesetax potentials are tapped,” he added.

Kim Pascual

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim will lead the Chinese communityin celebrating the Chinese New Year.

A host of activities have been lined up, highlighted by the tra-ditional parade that will go around the Chinatown area.

Lim said the parade, which he himself will lead, will be heldat around 4 p.m. on Saturday (February 13), starting from PlazaSan Lorenzo Ruiz on Ongpin Street to Sta. Cruz, Dasmarinas,Quintin Paredes and then back to Ongpin.

Following the parade, a program will be held at 7 p.m. to pro-vide free entertainment for the public.

In connection with this, Lim said that the Manila Police Dis-trict (MPD) will be fielding additional men to provide protectionfor those who are expected to troop to the Chinatown area inBinondo.

Everyday starting tomorrow, Chinatown will be abuzz withactivities as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations on Sunday.

For starters, colorful lion dances will be featured every hourespecially for the enjoyment of children right in the heart ofChinatown.

The lion dances will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and per-formed by the Wong Lion and Dance Group.

Aside from this, tikoy eating and hopia eating contests willalso be held daily, in the belief that eating such sweet and stickyfoods bring about harmony and luck to those who consume them.

Angelie Escandor

Lim leads Chinese communityin celebrating New Year

4 Wednesday, February 10, 2010 5

FILM and televi-sion actor RichardGutierrez and Jo-Ann Maglipon, theeditor-in-chief of thePhilippine Entertain-ment Portal (PEP)website, yesterdaysettled amicably thelibel charges beforeJustice SecretaryAgnes Devanadera.

Gutierrez filed thelibel chargesagainst Magliponfollowing the postingon the PEP websiteon March 29, 2009on the allegedinvolvement of theactor in a disputewith fellow actorMichael Flores in abirthday party ofdirector MarkReyes.

Maglipon, PEP

managing editorKaren Pagsolinganand PEP reporterFerdinand Godinez,personally offeredtheir apologies toGutierrez for theirmistakes when theypublished the saidnews article.

In turn, Gutierrez,together with hisparents EddieGutierrez andAnnabelle Rama,accepted theapologies of thethree PEP execu-tives.

This paved theway for the ami-cable settlement ofthe libel chargesand the posting ofthe public apologyto the website ofPEP.

Gutierrez andeditors of PEPreached an ami-cable settlementregarding the libelsuit.

The PEP articlealleged thatGutierrez wasinvolved “in aheated squabblewith Michael Flores”during the birthdayparty, an incidentthat turned out notto have happenedand which story thewebsite has sinceadmitted to havebeen a mistake.

As part of thesettlement, PEPissued this publicapology:

“The PhilippineEntertainment Portal(PEP) hereby

reiterates that Mr.Richard Gutierrezwas never involvedin any “heatedaltercation” or“tutukan ng baril”with Michael Floresor with any otherindividual on 29March 2009, duringthe party of Zorrodirector MarkReyes, contrary toan article brieflyuploaded on itswebsite on thesame day.

“PEP editor-in-chief Jo-AnnMaglipon, managingeditor KarenPagsolingan andstaffwriter BongGodinez acknowl-edge their error;repeat their assur-ance that they haveno malicious agendaagainst Mr.Gutierrez; andapologize for thepublication of thearticle and theirfailure to get hisside of the storyand for the hurt ithas caused him andhis family.”

The settlementwas reached duringa meeting betweenGutierrez, Maglipon,Pagsolingan, andGodinez at theoffice of JusticeDevanadera, onwhich occasion

presence of theJustice Secretaryand media represen-tatives to effectivelyend the libel suit.

It will be recalledthat the Departmentof Justice recom-mended the filing ofa case for Libelagainst Maglipon,Pagsolingan andGodinez for thesubject article. Withthe affidavit ofdesistance signed,SecretaryDevanadera de-clared the caseclosed.

* * *Angelica

Panganiban may not

hearts are both busywith their showbizcommitments,Angelica said thatthey haven’t talkedabout how they’regoing to spendFebruary 14.

If ever, she said,they might go withrandom plans likethey did last year.“Gusto lang talaganamin kasi, like lastyear, nag-charityevent lang kami,mga ganun-ganunlang. Masaya nakami sa ganun.Itutuloy namin ‘yonweek after ng

Libel suit of Richard Gutierrez vs PEP finally over

Maglipon, in herbehalf and that ofthe others in herstaff, read theabove apology.

Also in thepresence of theSecretaryDevanadera,Gutierrez acceptedthe apology, andlater signed anaffidavit of desis-tance.

The parties thenshook hands in the

SHOWBIZPIZZAZZBy Alex Brosas

INDItalaga

kayang panindiganni Dra. Vicki Beloang kanyangbinitiwang salita saStartalk na hindisiya makikipagkitakay Hayden Khofrom Jan. 1 to May20, birthday ng ex-doctor. Maynasagap kasikaming tsika nanagkita ang dalawatwo weeks ago namagkasama saEncore Bar, datingEmbassy Bar napag-aari ni Tim Yap.

Enjoy na enjoynga raw ang dalawasa kanilang nightout noong gabingiyon at wala silangpakialam sapagpapakita ngkanilang sweetness.At dahil kilalangcelebrities,pinagtitinginan dawsila ng mga tao.Alam siguro kasinila na hiwalay natalaga ang dalawa.

Ang sabi ngaming source, maymga guests na hindinakatiis at nagpa-picture pa kasamasi Hayden. Verypapable daw kasiang ex-doctor noonggabing iyon athalatang fullyrecharged.

Naalala pa naminang mga binitiwangsalita ni Belo saStartalk.Nagkasundo sila niHayden na dimagkikita at dimagkakaroon ngcommunication. “Notexting, no calling,

no seeing, zeroanything,” sabi niBelo sa “Startalk.”

“We will meetother people, we willdate other people,we will talk to otherpeople, but we willnot say boyfriend kona ‘to or girlfriend naniya ‘to until May 20para naman mayrespeto sa isa’t-isa,”dagdag pa ngcosmetic surgeon.

Sa pagkakakitasa kanila sa EncoreBar, mukhang hinditalaga matitiis niBelo na hindi makitasi Hayden. Kungsabagay, ilangbeses na rinnamang sinabi noonni Belo na hindi nasiya makikipagkitakay Hayden peroilang beses na rinsiyang na-sight nakasama naman angex-doctor.

* * *Ano ba ang

gustong palabasinnitong si JolinaMagdangal sapagpapalit niya ngkanyang imahe?

be able to spendthis Valentine’s Daywith her boyfriendDerek Ramsay. Thesexy young actresstold the media thatshe could be busypromoting hernewest primetimeshow on ABS-CBN,the local adaptationof the MexicanovelaRubi.

“[Nasa] trabahoako. Kasi February15 na ito ipalalabas,so buong February14, nasa promokami,” the 23-year-old actress saidduring the grandlaunch of Rubi heldat the EastwoodCity in Libis,Quezon City lastFebruary 8.

Since the sweet-

Valentine’s Day,”said Angelica.

READY TOSETTLE DOWN? Ina previous interviewwith Derek, hementioned abouthaving kids. IsAngelica open tothis idea?

“Siyempre,mahirap namanmagsabi na hindi‘yon mangyayarisoon. Malay natin,hindi ko alam. Hindiko talaga puwedengsabihin na

mangyayari siyanext week or ano.Mahirap magsabi.Basta masaya langkami sa relation-ship. Hindi namanmaiiwasan ang mgagusto namin or mgaplano naming sabuhay, di ba?” saidAngelica.

The former childstar also pointed outthat she and herboyfriend of threeyears should beready if ever theydecide to settledown.

“Siguro kapagsinabing ready, hindinaman ibig sabihinna bukasmagpapakasal nakami, di ba?”Angelica said. “Asmuch as possible,gusto namingmaayos ang lahat.So, kung daratingkami sa point namagse-settle downkami, wala namangproblema at sigurowala namangkokontra. Kayalang, nasa amin‘yon, kung gaano naba kami kahanda saisa’t isa.”

Angelica doesnot deny thatmarrying Derek hasalready crossed hermind.

“Bakit naman akomag-i-invest ako ngemotions sa kanyang ganito katagalkung hindi namanpala siya ang taonggusto kongmakasama sabuhay?” she said.

“Bakit namanako mag-i-investako ng emotionssa kanya ngganito katagalkung hindinaman pala siyaang taong gustokong makasamasa buhay?”

in the presenceof the SecretaryDevanadera,Gutierrez acceptedthe apology,and later signedan affidavitof desistance

Marami kasi anghindi nagkagusto sanew image niJolens na parangkopyang-kopya sainternational singerna si Lady Gaga.Ito raw ang idea ngbagong manager niJolens na si PerryLansingan. Hindinamin napanood siJolens sa guestingniya sa GMA, perohindi lang iisa angnagsabi sa amin nahindi bagay sa edadng dalaga namagkaroon ngganoong image.

Parang tryingvery hard daw angdating ng dalaga. Atobvious naman dawna ginagaya niJolens si LadyGaga, bagay naisang kapintasanang dating. Hindiraw original angdating ng bagongimage ng singer-actress.

* * *Ano ba itong si

Melissa Ricks,parang hindi siyaproud na aminin nasila na nga ngayonni Jake Cuenca.Consistent angMelissa sapagdedenay nadyowa na niya siJake kahit naobvious na obvious

Bagong image ni Jolina,kinopya kay Lady Gaga?

naman na sila natalaga.

Ang inaamin langniya ay ang minsannilang pagpunta sasimbahan togetherat ang pag-mallingnila sa Alabang.Kahit na umaminsiya sa mga ito,hindi naman niyatuwirang inaamin namagdyowa na ngasila ng aktor.

Ang nakarating saaming tsika kungbakit ganito siMelissa ay ang pag-ayaw ng kanyangina sa aktor. Hindiraw feel ng madir niMelissa si Jake.Hindi naman sinabisa amin kung ano

HA

YD

EN

AT

VIC

KI

H

ang inaayawan ngmadiraka ng aktreskay Jake, basta,hindi niya ito feelpara sa kanyanganak na dalaga.

This is thereason daw kungbakit hindi maamin-amin ni Melissa angkanyang tunay narelasyon sa aktor.At ito rin daw angreason kung bakitkailangan pa nilangmag-date samalayong lugar parahindi sila masundanng kanyang motherdear. Kaya nga rawsa Alabang pa rawnila naisipang mag-date para malayo saintriga.DEREK RAMSAY A

NG

EL

ICA

PA

NG

AN

IBA

N

MELISSA RICKS JAK

E C

UE

NC

A

JO-ANN MAGLIPON

RICHARDGUTIERREZ

4 Wednesday, February 10, 2010 5

FILM and televi-sion actor RichardGutierrez and Jo-Ann Maglipon, theeditor-in-chief of thePhilippine Entertain-ment Portal (PEP)website, yesterdaysettled amicably thelibel charges beforeJustice SecretaryAgnes Devanadera.

Gutierrez filed thelibel chargesagainst Magliponfollowing the postingon the PEP websiteon March 29, 2009on the allegedinvolvement of theactor in a disputewith fellow actorMichael Flores in abirthday party ofdirector MarkReyes.

Maglipon, PEP

managing editorKaren Pagsolinganand PEP reporterFerdinand Godinez,personally offeredtheir apologies toGutierrez for theirmistakes when theypublished the saidnews article.

In turn, Gutierrez,together with hisparents EddieGutierrez andAnnabelle Rama,accepted theapologies of thethree PEP execu-tives.

This paved theway for the ami-cable settlement ofthe libel chargesand the posting ofthe public apologyto the website ofPEP.

Gutierrez andeditors of PEPreached an ami-cable settlementregarding the libelsuit.

The PEP articlealleged thatGutierrez wasinvolved “in aheated squabblewith Michael Flores”during the birthdayparty, an incidentthat turned out notto have happenedand which story thewebsite has sinceadmitted to havebeen a mistake.

As part of thesettlement, PEPissued this publicapology:

“The PhilippineEntertainment Portal(PEP) hereby

reiterates that Mr.Richard Gutierrezwas never involvedin any “heatedaltercation” or“tutukan ng baril”with Michael Floresor with any otherindividual on 29March 2009, duringthe party of Zorrodirector MarkReyes, contrary toan article brieflyuploaded on itswebsite on thesame day.

“PEP editor-in-chief Jo-AnnMaglipon, managingeditor KarenPagsolingan andstaffwriter BongGodinez acknowl-edge their error;repeat their assur-ance that they haveno malicious agendaagainst Mr.Gutierrez; andapologize for thepublication of thearticle and theirfailure to get hisside of the storyand for the hurt ithas caused him andhis family.”

The settlementwas reached duringa meeting betweenGutierrez, Maglipon,Pagsolingan, andGodinez at theoffice of JusticeDevanadera, onwhich occasion

presence of theJustice Secretaryand media represen-tatives to effectivelyend the libel suit.

It will be recalledthat the Departmentof Justice recom-mended the filing ofa case for Libelagainst Maglipon,Pagsolingan andGodinez for thesubject article. Withthe affidavit ofdesistance signed,SecretaryDevanadera de-clared the caseclosed.

* * *Angelica

Panganiban may not

hearts are both busywith their showbizcommitments,Angelica said thatthey haven’t talkedabout how they’regoing to spendFebruary 14.

If ever, she said,they might go withrandom plans likethey did last year.“Gusto lang talaganamin kasi, like lastyear, nag-charityevent lang kami,mga ganun-ganunlang. Masaya nakami sa ganun.Itutuloy namin ‘yonweek after ng

Libel suit of Richard Gutierrez vs PEP finally over

Maglipon, in herbehalf and that ofthe others in herstaff, read theabove apology.

Also in thepresence of theSecretaryDevanadera,Gutierrez acceptedthe apology, andlater signed anaffidavit of desis-tance.

The parties thenshook hands in the

SHOWBIZPIZZAZZBy Alex Brosas

INDItalaga

kayang panindiganni Dra. Vicki Beloang kanyangbinitiwang salita saStartalk na hindisiya makikipagkitakay Hayden Khofrom Jan. 1 to May20, birthday ng ex-doctor. Maynasagap kasikaming tsika nanagkita ang dalawatwo weeks ago namagkasama saEncore Bar, datingEmbassy Bar napag-aari ni Tim Yap.

Enjoy na enjoynga raw ang dalawasa kanilang nightout noong gabingiyon at wala silangpakialam sapagpapakita ngkanilang sweetness.At dahil kilalangcelebrities,pinagtitinginan dawsila ng mga tao.Alam siguro kasinila na hiwalay natalaga ang dalawa.

Ang sabi ngaming source, maymga guests na hindinakatiis at nagpa-picture pa kasamasi Hayden. Verypapable daw kasiang ex-doctor noonggabing iyon athalatang fullyrecharged.

Naalala pa naminang mga binitiwangsalita ni Belo saStartalk.Nagkasundo sila niHayden na dimagkikita at dimagkakaroon ngcommunication. “Notexting, no calling,

no seeing, zeroanything,” sabi niBelo sa “Startalk.”

“We will meetother people, we willdate other people,we will talk to otherpeople, but we willnot say boyfriend kona ‘to or girlfriend naniya ‘to until May 20para naman mayrespeto sa isa’t-isa,”dagdag pa ngcosmetic surgeon.

Sa pagkakakitasa kanila sa EncoreBar, mukhang hinditalaga matitiis niBelo na hindi makitasi Hayden. Kungsabagay, ilangbeses na rinnamang sinabi noonni Belo na hindi nasiya makikipagkitakay Hayden peroilang beses na rinsiyang na-sight nakasama naman angex-doctor.

* * *Ano ba ang

gustong palabasinnitong si JolinaMagdangal sapagpapalit niya ngkanyang imahe?

be able to spendthis Valentine’s Daywith her boyfriendDerek Ramsay. Thesexy young actresstold the media thatshe could be busypromoting hernewest primetimeshow on ABS-CBN,the local adaptationof the MexicanovelaRubi.

“[Nasa] trabahoako. Kasi February15 na ito ipalalabas,so buong February14, nasa promokami,” the 23-year-old actress saidduring the grandlaunch of Rubi heldat the EastwoodCity in Libis,Quezon City lastFebruary 8.

Since the sweet-

Valentine’s Day,”said Angelica.

READY TOSETTLE DOWN? Ina previous interviewwith Derek, hementioned abouthaving kids. IsAngelica open tothis idea?

“Siyempre,mahirap namanmagsabi na hindi‘yon mangyayarisoon. Malay natin,hindi ko alam. Hindiko talaga puwedengsabihin na

mangyayari siyanext week or ano.Mahirap magsabi.Basta masaya langkami sa relation-ship. Hindi namanmaiiwasan ang mgagusto namin or mgaplano naming sabuhay, di ba?” saidAngelica.

The former childstar also pointed outthat she and herboyfriend of threeyears should beready if ever theydecide to settledown.

“Siguro kapagsinabing ready, hindinaman ibig sabihinna bukasmagpapakasal nakami, di ba?”Angelica said. “Asmuch as possible,gusto namingmaayos ang lahat.So, kung daratingkami sa point namagse-settle downkami, wala namangproblema at sigurowala namangkokontra. Kayalang, nasa amin‘yon, kung gaano naba kami kahanda saisa’t isa.”

Angelica doesnot deny thatmarrying Derek hasalready crossed hermind.

“Bakit naman akomag-i-invest ako ngemotions sa kanyang ganito katagalkung hindi namanpala siya ang taonggusto kongmakasama sabuhay?” she said.

“Bakit namanako mag-i-investako ng emotionssa kanya ngganito katagalkung hindinaman pala siyaang taong gustokong makasamasa buhay?”

in the presenceof the SecretaryDevanadera,Gutierrez acceptedthe apology,and later signedan affidavitof desistance

Marami kasi anghindi nagkagusto sanew image niJolens na parangkopyang-kopya sainternational singerna si Lady Gaga.Ito raw ang idea ngbagong manager niJolens na si PerryLansingan. Hindinamin napanood siJolens sa guestingniya sa GMA, perohindi lang iisa angnagsabi sa amin nahindi bagay sa edadng dalaga namagkaroon ngganoong image.

Parang tryingvery hard daw angdating ng dalaga. Atobvious naman dawna ginagaya niJolens si LadyGaga, bagay naisang kapintasanang dating. Hindiraw original angdating ng bagongimage ng singer-actress.

* * *Ano ba itong si

Melissa Ricks,parang hindi siyaproud na aminin nasila na nga ngayonni Jake Cuenca.Consistent angMelissa sapagdedenay nadyowa na niya siJake kahit naobvious na obvious

Bagong image ni Jolina,kinopya kay Lady Gaga?

naman na sila natalaga.

Ang inaamin langniya ay ang minsannilang pagpunta sasimbahan togetherat ang pag-mallingnila sa Alabang.Kahit na umaminsiya sa mga ito,hindi naman niyatuwirang inaamin namagdyowa na ngasila ng aktor.

Ang nakarating saaming tsika kungbakit ganito siMelissa ay ang pag-ayaw ng kanyangina sa aktor. Hindiraw feel ng madir niMelissa si Jake.Hindi naman sinabisa amin kung ano

HA

YD

EN

AT

VIC

KI

H

ang inaayawan ngmadiraka ng aktreskay Jake, basta,hindi niya ito feelpara sa kanyanganak na dalaga.

This is thereason daw kungbakit hindi maamin-amin ni Melissa angkanyang tunay narelasyon sa aktor.At ito rin daw angreason kung bakitkailangan pa nilangmag-date samalayong lugar parahindi sila masundanng kanyang motherdear. Kaya nga rawsa Alabang pa rawnila naisipang mag-date para malayo saintriga.DEREK RAMSAY A

NG

EL

ICA

PA

NG

AN

IBA

N

MELISSA RICKS JAK

E C

UE

NC

A

JO-ANN MAGLIPON

RICHARDGUTIERREZ

Wednesday, February 10, 20106

Complete the grid so every row, columnand 3 x 3 box contains every digit

from 1 to 9 inclusively.

Previous puzzle solution

Ni McJoe PALAISIPAN Thelma Onego

SAGOT SA NAKARAAN

PAHALANG

1. Babatak 7. Kobra11. Lagyan ng suka12. Pang-ukol13. Sinawi14. Para15. Bagyo16. Banggitin17. Hulog pag

inulit18. Pangamba20. Huni ng

bubuwit21. Dagil

22. Sobra angtulin

28. Usok29. Tigil30. Nabigo32. Bulong33. Anting34. Impo35. Sumasamba

sa anito36. Kahoy

PABABA

1. Tugisin 2. Inilinang

3. Husto sa gulang 4. Ligpit 5. Hulog pag inulit 6. Ha 7. Bintang 8. Tanda ng antok 9. Sambit

ng naiinis10. Batay16. Salok18. Kahoy19. Pangalan

ng lalaki21. Hahalo23. Lungsod

sa NCR24. Idakip25. Taba26. Ihataw27. Tanggapan

ng bisita30. Palayaw ng lalaki31. Una

MANILA’S hottest shopping destination,Tutuban Mall, will join the entire Filipino-Chinese community as it prepares auspiciouscelebrations in connection with the ChineseNew Year, symbolized this year by the goldenTiger.

On this year ’s Chinese New Year, whichwill happen on February 14 and incidentallyis also Valentine’s Day, Tutuban Mall, thenew mecca of affordable shopping and cus-tomer convenience, has lined up several heart-pounding activities that will surely delightits horde of loyal shoppers.

On the eve of Chinese New Year—andValentine’s Day—expect shoppers andcouples to be thrilled by a mesmerizing lion

Tutuban Mall welcomes the Year of the Golden Tigerdance that will happen the entire day. Thiswill be capped later in the evening via a daz-zling display of fireworks at 8 p.m. at theBonifacio plaza grounds that will surely catcheverybody’s attention.

The following day, Valentine’s Day, shop-pers can expect another full day of excitinglion dances as they make the rounds of themall with their adrenaline-pumping beat thatwill entertain shoppers as they shop to theirhearts’ delight.

Tutuban Mall is located along the historicC.M. Recto Avenue in the Tutuban district ofthe City of Manila.

For more details, visit http://www.tutuban.com.ph

WHAT is it that makes running such a desirable pastime? It startedout as a solitary sport reserved only for serious athletes. Lean, gauntrunners rose at dawn, guzzled electrolyte drinks, and braved theelements to ply deserted race ovals or rain-drenched streets.

Then a few years ago, people started to see running as a gymalternative: Easy to start, with no complex routines, expensivegear or even much time needed. Its popularity soared when ex-cited gymgoers persuaded workout buddies to join the fun, andsoon scores of converts were racing to sign up for the sport chris-tened “the new badminton”.

No longer just a solo pursuit nor a trendy pastime, running isnow a mainstream physical activity with a unique social charac-ter, with thousands turning up at the frequent runs held aroundthe metro. It is fun, healthy and a great way to meet new folks aswell as cement friendships you already value.

And there is nothing like the mind-blowing feeling of crossingyour first finish line with your buddies in close stride, sharingthat adrenalin high. High fives abound, and everyone rushes toTweet success or shout out “Just finished my first 5k!” on Facebook®.You’ll even develop a newfound respect for your friend who runsa 21k in under two hours and barely breaks a sweat.

This year you and your pals can share your proud day at Globe-Ayala Land Run for Home 2010. On March 21, 2010, runners ofevery ilk — serious athletes, health buffs and weekend warriorsalike — will converge at Makati City’s Ayala Triangle Garden tojoin one of the biggest urban runs of the year.

With a route winding through the premium Makati CentralBusiness District, casual runners can cruise the 3k or 5k routes,while the more competitive can test their mettle with the 10k or15k. As for the hardcore runners, they can get their game on witha 21k half-marathon. Last year ’s Run for Home event, held at theBonifacio Global City, was one of the first races to breach the6000-runner mark.

The new human race: Globe-AyalaLand Run for Home 2010

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 7

Our Daily BreadOur Daily BreadOur Daily BreadOur Daily BreadOur Daily BreadWhen a publishing company asked me to write an

endorsement for a new book, I said I’d be glad to. Itappeared to be a helpful effort directed to young people,challenging them to live for God in a changing world.But as I read the book, something troubled me. Al-though it had lots of Scripture and great spiritualadvice, it didn’t explain that the starting point forany relationship with God is salvation through JesusChrist.

The writer seemed to imply that the essence ofliving spiritually in modern society is based totally onaction—good deeds—and not on saving faith in Christ.I didn’t write the endorsement.

The culture of the church is changing rapidly. Oftenleft behind in the rush to find exciting new ideas is theessential nature of the gospel. The apostle Paul wasastonished that people so readily embraced a “differentgospel” (Gal. 1:6). What he preached was not fromman, but a direct revelation from Jesus Himself (vv.11-12).

We must never let go of that true gospel: Christdied for our sins, was buried, and rose again for ourjustification, declaring us righteous before God (Rom.4:25; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). This alone offers the “power ofGod to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom.1:16). If we want to live for God, this is the onlyplace to start. — Dave Branon

No one can say he doesn’t needForgiveness for his sin,

For all must come to Christ by faithTo have new life within. —Branon

Faith is the hand that must take God’s gift ofsalvation.

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Two vessels collide in Southern LeyteA TOTAL 202 passengers, including five

infants, and crews on board two vesselswhich collided in Southern Leyte on Mon-day afternoon were all safe, the PhilippineCoast Guard (PCG) said on Tuesday.

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG comman-dant, said M/V Maharlika 2, a passenger vesselowned and operated by Philharbor Ferries andPort Services, Inc. was hit by vessel M/V OceanKing 1, also a passenger vessel owned andoperated by Sea Marine Transport Inc.

Personnel of Coast Guard DetachmentLiloan, Southern Leyte reported to Tamayothat M/V Marhalika 2 was approaching andabout to dock at the Port of Liloan, SouthernLeyte on Monday at 4 p.m. when it was hitby M/V Ocean King 1. Both vessels came fromLlipata, Surigao

Initial investigation revealed that whileM/V Maharlika 2 was about 150 meters away

from Liloan wharf and making her final ap-proach to dock when M/V Ocean King 1, forunknown reason, tried to overtake on the star-board (right) side of M/V Maharlika 2.

While the M/V Ocean King 1 was pass-ing by the astern portion of M/V Maharlika2, she suddenly swerved to the left hittingthe starboard bow freeboard of the othervessel.

M/V Maharlika 2 suffered dented star-board bow freeboard while MV Ocean King1 suffered damage on her port (left) accom-modation ladder. The passengers and crewof both vessels were reportedly safe.

Commodore Rolando Dizon, CoastGuard District Central Vizayas Commander,meanwhile, has ordered an investigationon the incident and directed skippers ofboth vessels to submit marine protest im-mediately.

THE Department of Justice(DOJ) yesterday filed 57 countsof murder charges against theother prominent members ofthe Ampatuan clan, led by itspatriarch formerMaguindanao GovernorAndal Ampatuan, Sr., and 196others for their alleged involve-ment in the brutal slayings of57 civilians, including 15women and 30 media practi-tioners in Ampatuan town,

Maguindanao on Nov. 23,2009.

No bail was recommendedto the suspects.

In a 78-page resolution, theDOJ eight-man panel of inves-tigators, headed by SeniorState Prosecutor Leo Dacera,said that during the day ofthe massacre incident it wasclear that there was con-spiracy to commit the crime.

“The confluence of events

before and immediately afterthe massacre took place ledus to conclude thatAmpatuan, Sr., his son Au-tonomous Region in MuslimMindanao Gov. Datu Zaldy“Puti” U. Ampatuan, DatuAkmad “Tato” Ampatuan, Sr.,Datu Norodin Ampatuan andDatu Jimmy Ampatuan con-nived with the actual perpe-trators,” the resolution said.

Ampie Galpo

DOJ recommends no bail for Ampatuan suspectsPNP increases checkpointsas national campaign starts

THE Philippine National Po-lice (PNP) yesterday put up ad-ditional checkpoints in some3,500 localities across the coun-try to intensify election securityoperations as the official cam-paign period starts for nationalelective posts.

PNP chief Director GeneralJesus Verzosa said the NationalTask Force HOPE 2010 wouldhave at its disposal the tacticalunits of the PNP, such as the Spe-cial Action Force, Regional Pub-lic Safety Management Battalionsand Provincial Public SafetyManagement Companies, for po-lice interdiction operationsagainst partisan armed groups(PAGs), domestic threat groupsand gun ban violators.

The checkpoints are supportedby various tactical units, combatpersonnel, light armored assets,including the newly-acquired PNPhelicopters with night flying ca-pability and police commandos ca-

pable of rapid deployment andheliborne insertion into areas of op-eration and hostile targets.

Verzosa put to task the PNPtactical units at the regional andprovincial levels under the opera-tional supervision of the Direc-torates for Integrated Police Op-erations (DIPO) as lead units inthe campaign against PAGs andother threats to the holding ofclean and orderly national elec-tions in May.

As the nationwide Comelec-imposed gunban enters its 30thday on Wednesday, the NationalElection Monitoring and ActionCenter (NEMAC) has accountedfor a total of 743 gunban viola-tors arrested, among them 52 po-licemen, 29 soldiers, 31 govern-ment officials and 631 civilians.The PNP has confiscated 618 fire-arms, 23 explosive devices, 164bladed weapons and 762 gun rep-lica in checkpoint and weaponscheck operations.

BANGON PILIPINASA throng of supporters from the Bangon Pilipinas group gather at the Rizal Park inLuneta to push the candidacy of its standard bearer Bro. Eddie Villanueva. In a seaof green and yellow, supporters of Bangon Pilipinas join Villanueva’s kick off pro-gram for his presidential campaign. MICHAEL SUPERALES

Control No: 4616Position:Watchman 1 (SG-2)

Status: PermanentAgency: Jose Abad Santos

Mother & Child HospitalItem No: 401

Caloocan strengthens childdevelopment program

CALOOCAN Mayor EnricoEchiverri said the local govern-ment will continue to reinforce itsearly childhood care and devel-opment program (ECCD) spear-headed by the Local Council forthe Welfare of Children (LCWC).

Echiverri, who chairs the chil-dren welfare council, said theprogram is mandated by Repub-lic Act 8980 which provides forthe over-all care and developmentof Filipino children during theirmost critical stage of growth anddevelopment.

He said Caloocan’s ECCD pro-gram is the convergence of a fullrange of health, nutrition, early

education, psychosocial andother social services that providefor the holistic needs of childrenfrom zero to six years old to pro-mote the development of their op-timum potential.

Moreoever, Echiverri noted thatorientations, trainings, planningworkshops and other capability-building activities among mem-bers of the LCWC and programimplementers were also con-ducted in the past months.

The parents, families and com-munities are also integral part inthe effective implementation ofthe city’s ECCD program.

Albert Nasser

8 Wednesday, February 10, 2010

PBA slaps P1-M fine vs TNT for game walkoutTHE walkout staged by Talk N’ Text that

marred Game 4 of its quarterfinal match-upwith Barangay Ginebra on February 5 costthe Tropang Texters over P1 million in pen-alty.

Besides forfeiting Game 4 in favor of theKings, PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios lev-ied a P500,000 fine on Talk N’ Text, the amountof which shall be paid to Barangay Ginebraunder section 32 of the PBA constitution andby-laws.

On top of that, TNT’s share in the gatereceipts and television revenues for that game,which could be anywhere from P200,000 toP250,000, has also been forfeited in favor ofthe nine other PBA ball clubs.

The commissioner also imposed an addi-tional P500,000 fine which he said will go tothe Players’ Educational Trust Fund for thebenefit of the players and their dependents.

Barrios pointed out that the PBA and itsteams serve different public, foremost ofwhich is the watching public, who happensto be the lifeblood of the league and whoseinterest the league has sworn to protect andhold as primordial.

“There are established rules and proce-dures to properly ventilate a team’s dis-agreement with officiating so that the fansdo not become innocent and unwilling vic-tims of a team’s protest over calls,” Barriosstressed.

THE Phoenix Fuel-PBAPress Corps Sports WritingContest proceeds on February14, Sunday, 2 p.m., beforeGame 3 of the KFC-PBA Phil-ippine Cup semifinals at theAraneta Coliseum.

Widely-read sports colum-nist Recah Trinidad of the DailyInquirer and Quinito Hensonof the Philippine Star will beon hand to give 30-minute lec-tures on the fundamentals ofsports writing as well as fea-ture and column writing.

Backed by the PBACommissioner ’s Office,Araneta Center, Solar Sportsand the PBA Press Photogra-

phers, the contest, accordingto project co-chairmen JoelOrellana and Dennis Principe,has drawn the following sofar: Christian JeromeLagunzad (TUP), KarlitosBrian Decena (UPD), BenjayEspelimbergo (PUP), NestorDomingo Jr. (CEU), MartinTamudlong (PUP), Aiza delaCruz (FEU), Kim ByronPurificacion (STI), ReijosiahEchano (JRU), Mark Pere Mad-rona (UPD), Josevee SapphireDagdag (Fatima), ManuelCinco (PUP), John DanielSalonga (La Salle), Cris JohnRoby Akol (La Salle), JewelSumayo (La Salle), Immanuel

Canicosa (La Salle), Jeric R.Mallari (PUP), Rafael Zapanta(PUP), Arnie N. Dela Mata(PUP), Karen Tiu (PSID),Menard V. Salvador (PUP),Marlon A. Epiz (PUP),Demetrio C. Ragua Jr. (PUP),Joseph Legarde (UCC), JadeLasiste (UPM), JeffersonArafol (UPH), Joshua FelixTadena (Adamson), LeonelRegondola (PUP), MartinSison (UPD), Aaron JoelBayato (AMA-R), John Mat-thew Palentinos (PUP),Vincent Cenabre (TaguigUniv.), Glenn Barbara (UPD),Glenn Parazas (PUP), andDesiree Beringa (PUP).

Sports writing contest starts Sunday

BUMULAGA ang isangkumpanyang ang tawag ayANI o Agrinurture Inc. sa bas-ketball world kaya maramiang nagulat.

Ang kanilang negosyo ayprutas at gulay at nakikitasila sa mga leading super-markets sa buong bansa.

Ang ANI ay kumpirmadong kasali na sa pagbubukas ngdarating na PBL conference next week kaya naman excitedna excited sila.

Ang team owners na sina Antonio Tiu at Dennis Sia aymagka-isang nagsasabi na ang buong kumpanya nila aynatutuwa at nakapasok na sila sa basketball.

“We’re happy that we made it to basketball at balak talaganamin ang lasting relationship with this sport. Natutuwa kamina natanggap kami sa PBL at kahit baguhan pa lang kamidito, we have felt that we’re very much welcome,”sabi nila.

Ang team manager nila ay si Roman Ong na isa ringdating NCAA player. Naging player siya ng JRU severalyears ago pero nag-quit at pumasok sa negosyo.

Ang napili nila para mag-coach ng team ay si Toto Jorillona di na rin naman baguhan sa mundo ng basketball at sakasalukuyan, naka-sentro ang line-up nila sa mga tuladnina Christian Luanzon, Mark Cagoco, JR Sena at mgaNCAA players na sina Jason Pascual at Maki Acosta.

* * *Tatahi-tahimik lang ang isang sports at arts supporter

na si Rod Rodriguez pero napakalaking impact pala angnagawa ng kanyang isinulat na libro last year na “Majarlica:Bayan ng Agimat” na inumpisahang ma-release sa 2009International Book Fair. Lubusang pinaghirapan ni Rod angpagsulat ng naturang libro sa hangarin niyang maibalik atmuling ipakilala sa mga Pilipino ang traditional art of Fili-pino komiks.

Nakatutuwa ang libro ni Rod dahil ito ang kauna-unahang graphic novel na ang sub-title ay sa English. Mgakilalang artists ang nag-ambag din ng kanilang talento salibrong ito at yan ay sina Lofamia (Anastasia) at Rico Rival(ng Transformers, the Animated movie).

Agrinurture Inc., pasok sa PBLRP Patriots confident

to win ABL championshipTHE Philippine Patriots want

no less than the title when they faceIndonesia’s Satria Muta BritAmain the best-of-five finals of the firstASEAN Basketball League (ABL)starting on Friday at the YnaresSports Arena in Pasig.

“Nobody remembers the run-ner-up. That’s why we want tobecome the champions of the firstABL tournament,” said Patriotshead coach Louie Alas whograced Tuesday’s PSA Forum atShakey’s along UN Avenue.

“It’s going to be a tough se-ries. But definitely, we’re goingto win,” he said.

Jason Dixon and Gabe Free-man, the pair of hard-workingimports for the Patriots, arrivedat the session presented byOutlast Battery, PAGCOR, Acceland Shakey’s way ahead of theircoach and teammates Jerwin Gacoand Rob Wainwright.

They did the early talking.“Of all the teams we’ve played,

coach Louie says Indonesia is thebetter team. And I seem to agree,”said Dixon, a 6-foot-10 center, whois close to a double-double aver-age in the inaugural tournamentamong ASEAN (Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations) teams.

Dixon said the key to victory

is how to stop the Indonesia im-ports, including Nakiea Miller.

“I have to prepare for him be-cause I know he’s going to use hisspeed against me. But it’s no dif-ferent that the other games. It’salways the same intensity. Indo-nesia is not a helter-skelter teamand it’s very disciplined,” he said.

“They key is stopping theirimports. That will be my job.That’s what I get paid for,” saidDixon.

“I don’t want to disrespect theIndonesian team but personally,I think we’re going to win thisseries, three-to-one,” he said, whovowed to give the championshipto the team co-owned by business-men Mikee Romero and TonyboyCojuangco.

Freeman, a PBA best importawardee when he played for SanMiguel Beer last year, was moredaring with his projection evenif he has yet to play a single gameagainst the Indonesians as he justcame in as a replacement.

“I don’t want to lose any game.I didn’t come here to lose. So, Isay we’ll sweep them. I don’t wantto lose. I hate losing,” said Free-men, who said he loves basket-ball so much that, “I sleep, drink,eat and shower it.”

LOS ANGELES —LosAngeles Lakers beat SanAntonio Spurs 101-89 de-spite the absence of KobeBryant and AndrewBynum.

The lifting of Lakerscame through the effortsmade by Pau Gasol, whohad 21 points and 19 re-bounds to lead five play-ers in double figures.

Bryant missed his sec-ond consecutive game witha sore left ankle, whileBynum sat out with abruised right hip.

In their absences, theLakers used a collectiveeffort to win in their finalhome game before thisweekend’s All-Star break.Ron Artest added 18points, Lamar Odom 16points and 10 rebounds,and Jordan Farmar andDerek Fisher had 13 each.

Manu Ginobili scored21 points, Tony Parker 20,Tim Duncan had 16 pointsand 15 rebounds andAntonio McDyess 12rebounds for the Spurs,who have lost four in arow to the Lakers atStaples Center.

Lakers whipSpurs minus

Bryant, Bynum