UST's Abdul spared suspension

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Santo Tomas Tigers will field a full roster when they start their showdown with five-peat-seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles for the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball crown on Saturday as star center Karim Abdul escaped suspension despite incurring a second unsportsmanlike foul in the previous game. “Hindi suspended si Abdul (Abdul is not suspended),” commissioner Ato Badolato told The STAR yesterday. There were concerns that the 6-6 Abdul will have to sit out the finals opener after getting slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul (UF) for nudging an airborne Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. during the Final Four. It was Abdul’s second UF this season after getting one for hitting University of the East’s JR Sumido in an earlier eliminations assignment. Incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls “with intent to harm” merits a one-game suspension. But this was not the case for Abdul, explained Badolato. “Hindi naman meant to hurt yung unsportsmanlike foul (His unsportsmanlike foul against Parks was not meant to hurt),” he said. Abdul is UST’s main man this year, leading the Tigers in scoring (16.8 points a game), rebounds (11.9), steals (1.5) and blocks (1.9) while giving 1.9 assist per outing. The Tigers are looking to end a six-year spell against the top-seeded Blue Eagles who are gunning for their fifth straight crown before Norman Black leaves the coaching chores to handle Talk n Text in the PBA. Black, who had considered quitting early but was prevailed upon by his boss and former Ateneo supporter, Manny V. Pangilinan, to finish the season, stressed he continues to be focused on the remaining task at hand. “I haven’t really thought about it (last few games with Ateneo). It’s more about trying to prepare the team to the best of my ability, to give them the best chance of winning, and not about it being the last two, three games for me. “I’m staying within the moment, study UST, know how to beat them and convince my team to go out and execute the game plan. I’m not really thinking about the end of the road, even though I know it’s there,” he said. - By Olmin Leyba (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

Chavez attacks rival at massive hometown rally

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sang, greeted throngs of supporters and lodged a searing attack on his rival Monday as he stormed into the final stretch of his re-election campaign. Chavez rode on top of a caravan through a jubilant crowd of thousands clad in his party's red in his hometown of Sabaneta, the start of a tour taking him to six states over three days before Sunday's vote. "I salute my dear town. I salute this nest of my life," Chavez said, pointing out how big the local trees had grown since his childhood in the southwestern town of 40,000 people. "Viva Sabaneta! Viva la revolucion!" While the leftist leader, in power for 14 years, remains favorite to win a new six-year term in the election, opposition candidate Henrique Capriles has closed the gap by half to 10 points in the latest opinion poll. Chavez leveled a new charge against Capriles, accusing his campaign of receiving drug trafficking funds. "These great businessmen have brought a lot of money to his campaign, and it has come from abroad too, from fugitive bankers, some mafias, money laundering, drug trafficking," Chavez told reporters. Chavez did not provide more details to back his accusation. The opposition says 80 percent of the Capriles campaign funds come from raffles, street fundraising and Internet donations. Chavez opponents counter that the president misuses public funds to promote his re-election bid. With just days to go before Sunday's election, Chavez charged that a Capriles victory would mark the return to power of "the bourgeoisie, big corruption and the Yankee empire." This is the term Chavez, and his close allies in Cuba's communist government, use to refer to the United States. One day after addressing hundreds of thousands of people in Caracas, Capriles took his campaign to the southern states of Amazonas and Boliva on Monday, voicing confidence that he could pull off a major upset. "I do not think that this is going to be a close race. I think we can win by more than one million votes," Capriles told foreign reporters. "This government will not have a hard time acknowledging its defeat." During his Sabaneta tour, Chavez, who says he has beaten cancer, returned to his old energetic style, sending greetings to old neighbors, friends and relatives while recounting childhood memories and breaking into song. "At that other street corner, over there, is where I was born," the 58-year-old former paratrooper said. With music blaring in the background, his fans tried to get near Chavez to shake his hand or pass personal notes. "He's the best president we've ever had," said 60-year-old Juana de Sanjuan, who tends animals in her farm and receives a pension thanks to one of the government's popular social "missions." "He cares about the poor. If another becomes president, it will all be over and Venezuela will be a disaster again," she said.

Fox News blames live airing of suicide on 'severe human error'

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Fox News apologized for a "severe human error" that resulted in viewers seeing a suspected carjacker fatally shoot himself after a police chase. The coverage of the Friday incident, which sparked outrage on social media and a quick on-air apology by anchor Shepard Smith, showed a man stumbling from an allegedly stolen car into the desert near Phoenix on Friday. As a camera in a helicopter provided live coverage, the man s topped a short distance away, pulled the trigger of a gun pointed to the right side of his head and crumpled face-forward into the ground. "We took every precaution to avoid any such live incident by putting the helicopter pictures on a five-second delay," said Michael Clemente, Fox's executive vice president for news editorial. "Unfortunately, this mistake was the result of a severe human error and we apologize for what viewers ultimately saw on the screen," he said in a statement issued on Friday. The Phoenix police department on Saturday identified the man as Jodon F. Romero, 33. Authorities said he fired at officers and a police helicopter at one point during the pursuit, and died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In a statement, the department said Romero had a prior history of numerous violent crimes. At the time of his death, he was believed to be wanted on at least one warrant for felony parole violation on a weapons charge, and may have been sought on a second warrant. (Reporting by Colleen Jenkins and Tim Gaynor; Editing by Alex Dobuzinskis and Eric Walsh)

Bangladesh blames Muslim Rohingyas for temple attacks

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh accused Muslim Rohingya refugees from Myanmar on Monday of involvement in attacks on Buddhist temples and homes in the southeast and said the violence was triggered by a photo posted on Facebook that insulted Islam. Thousands of Muslims went on a rampage in Buddhist areas of Bangladesh near the border on Saturday, setting ablaze more than a dozen temples and monasteries and at least 50 homes. Property was looted, including statues of the Buddha. "The attacks on temples and houses in Buddhist localities in Ramu and neighbouring areas in Cox's Bazar (district) were perpetrated by radical Islamists," Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir told reporters in Dhaka. "Rohingyas and political opponents of the government were also involved in the attacks." He described the attacks as a "premeditated and deliberate attempt" to disrupt communal harmony. It was one of the worst sectarian attacks in Bangladesh, spreading fear throughout the Buddhist minority. Police said violence spread to the port of Chittagong, where at least two temples were vandalised. But police drove the attackers away and tightened security around Buddhist areas. Police said they arrested nearly 170 people on suspicion of vandalism and an investigation was ordered into the violence. Rohingyas were involved in a week of rioting with Buddhist Rakhines across the border in Myanmar last June and aid agencies say they bore the brunt of a government crackdown to halt the violence. Rohingyas are not included in any census in multi-ethnic Myanmar and have no citizenship. Bangladesh does not accept them and pushed back out to sea refugees fleeing that unrest. Police said the latest attacks were launched after Muslims found a Facebook photo of a burned Koran, allegedly posted by a young Buddhist man who was taken into safe custody by police. The Facebook account was closed. Leaders of the Buddhist community, which makes up less than 1 percent of Bangladesh's population of 150 million, accused unidentified activists of sowing discord. "The situation has been under control since Sunday but we are adding forces to vulnerable areas to ensure the peace is kept," said Serajul Haque Khan, top civil administrator of the Chittagong division. Many Bangladeshi Muslims have taken part in protests in recent days against a film made in California and deemed insulting to Islam. Though most Rohingyas were turned back from Bangladesh during last June's violence, local residents accuse some of infiltrating the country and teaming up with Islamists.

Powerful typhoon kills two, hurts scores in Japan

Powerful Typhoon Jelawat left at least two people dead and more than 180 injured in Japan over the weekend before passing out into the Pacific on Monday, the weather agency and local media said. The typhoon, packing winds of up to 126 kilometres (78 miles) per hour, was northeast of Nemuro in eastern Hokkaido over the Pacific at 0200 GMT, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. A 56-year-old man was confirmed to have drowned in Mie, central Japan, after going missing on Sunday, local officials said. A 29-year-old man was swept to his death by high waves when Jelawat hit the southern island of Okinawa on Sunday, public broadcaster NHK reported. NHK also reported that at least 181 people were injured in typhoon-related incidents across the nation. On Sunday, several local governments issued evacuation advisories for tens of thousands of residents because of the fear of flooding caused by rising river levels. The typhoon is expected to be downgraded to a tropical depression later in the day, but the meteorological agency warned there would be further strong winds and high waves in Hokkaido. More than 500 flights, mainly in western Japan, were cancelled on Sunday and some shinkansen bullet train services across the country were suspended, news reports said.

Cambodia jails political activist for 20 years

A prominent critic of Cambodia's government was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday for an alleged secessionist plot, dismaying rights campaigners who decried the verdict as politically motivated. Radio station owner Mam Sonando was also fined 10 million riel ($2,500) by a a Phnom Penh court which convicted him on charges including insurrection and inciting people to take up arms against the state. He is considered by Amnesty International to be a prisoner of conscience. The 71-year-old, who was arrested in July, was accused of involvement in an alleged plot to establish an autonomous region in eastern Kratie province. Rights groups have called the accusations baseless and said the government was seeking to justify its harsh crackdown on a land dispute there in May, when a teenage girl was shot dead by security forces clashing with demonstrators. "Our court has announced a verdict that is politically motivated," the president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, Ou Virak, told AFP. "There's no evidence that Mam Sonando has committed these offences." Amnesty International researcher Rupert Abbott called the verdict "absolutely outrageous". Sonando, who heads the campaign group the Association of Democrats and whose station broadcasts programmes critical of the government, was jailed for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression, Abbott said. "We consider Mam Sonando to be a prisoner of conscience and will be campaigning for his release," he told AFP. Several hundred people gathered outside the courthouse to show their support for Sonando, although they were kept some distance away by the police. As he was led into a waiting vehicle after the verdict, Sonando told reporters: "I am happy that I have helped the nation." His wife Din Phanara told the media they would appeal the sentence. Sonando, owner of the independent Beehive station, was arrested previously in 2003 and 2005 for his political activities and defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen's government. The 61-year-old strongman has ruled Cambodia since 1985 and has vowed to remain in power until he is 90 years old. Activists say land conflicts are Cambodia's most pressing human rights issue. Protests have intensified this year and campaigners say the authorities are increasingly cracking down on dissent.

Geopolitics, resources put maritime disputes back on map

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Small and occupied largely by seabirds, goats and a unique indigenous species of mole, the islands named Senaku by Japan and Diaoyu by China have long been largely ignored. But as rising powers face off against each other in a battle not just for influence but also vital resources, such disputed islets, reefs, and areas of seabed are swiftly growing in importance; and not just in Asia. From the melting and resource-rich Arctic to the eastern Mediterranean, the South Atlantic to the East China Sea, legal wrangling, diplomatic posturing and military sabre rattling are all on the rise. The current row between Beijing and Tokyo over five islets and three rocks seems one of the riskiest so far, putting two of Asia's most powerful states at loggerheads - although most experts believe talk of outright war is overstated for now. "Some of these lines have always been disputed," says Admiral Gary Roughead, a former US Pacific Fleet commander who retired as Navy Chief of Operations last year and is now Annenberg distinguished fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institute. "But the resource issue is giving them much greater edge. You have energy reserves, you have fish stocks - which are particularly essential to the Asian diet and which I think we too often ignore - and increasingly you are going to have interest in undersea minerals and rare earths." What began as a purely diplomatic row when Japan's government bought land on the islands from their private owner has escalated to so far bloodless confrontations between patrol boats and fishing craft. Last week, Taiwan - which also claims the islands and with them hundreds of square sea miles believed to contain considerable gas and oil - entered the fray as its own patrol craft and fishing boats entered the waters. "These disputes are definitely coming back into fashion," says Eric Thompson, head of strategic studies at the Centre for Naval Analyses, which provides analysis to the the U.S. Navy and Pentagon amongst other clients as part of larger US-government funded think tank CNA. "You have profound geopolitical shifts... that are making certain states much more politically, economically and militarily more assertive. Then, you have new technologies that are putting resources within reach that would have been either unknown or impossible to access only a few years ago." Not all states resort to direct action. Later this year, Chile and Peru will go to the International Court of Justice to determine the exact location of their maritime boundary while Bangladesh and Myanmar went through a similar process at the Hamburg-based tribunal that arbitrates the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Argentina might be raising its rhetoric once again over what it calls the Malvinas and Britain calls the Falklands, but most diplomats believe it plans a diplomatic campaign rather than the kind of direct assault they launched in 1982. But in a growing number of cases, fishing boats, oil and gas exploration vessels and sometimes aircraft and warships find themselves in increasing if so far largely bloodless confrontation. Even areas so far unaffected, such as Africa's coastal waters, could soon also see mounting disputes as oil and gas finds pit neighbouring nations against each other. "Launching land wars to seize resources is no longer seen as acceptable," says Nikolas Gvosdev, professor of national security studies at the US Naval War College. "But a grab for resources at sea may be a different matter." "HOW MUCH IS DISPUTED? PRETTY MUCH ALL OF IT" On a map of the eastern Mediterranean, CNA strategy expert Thompson sketched out a block in the waters between Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and Lebanon - the sight of a potentially huge gas find first identified in 2009. "It's enough to meet almost the entire world's energy requirements for almost a year," he told Reuters on a visit to the Centre for Naval Analyses in Alexandria, Virginia earlier this year. "How much is disputed? Pretty much all of it." Last year, both Turkey and the government of Cyprus sent warships out alongside exploration vessels, ratcheting up tensions that had been easing since a 1974 war left Cyprus divided. Already increasingly asserting itself as a Mediterranean power, Turkey has made it clear it backs claims by the Turkish Cypriot enclave that occupies the island's north. Rivalry over gas looks to have further complicated the already increasingly acerbic relationship between one-time allies Turkey and Israel. Defence sources say the two countries' jets now periodically face off over the contested waters, although some believe all sides have been more restrained this year in part by preoccupation with events in nearby Syria. Even if such conflicts never spark open warfare, analysts say they can fuel wider regional tensions, arms races and potentially raise the risk of wars over other issues. That could be amongst the greatest danger from China's grandiose maritime claims, which have put it at loggerheads with almost every other regional power. While Beijing has become more assertive, foreign officials and other observers say other Asian states are following suit. Japan's focus on its territorial dispute, for example, is seen suggesting a very different approach to foreign policy than that usually followed by Tokyo since 1945. The most complex of China's disputes, over the oil-rich Spratly Islands, also wraps in the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. All have stepped up sea and air patrols as well as garrisoning isolated atolls and floating patrol bases. HIGH STAKES, LITTLE AGREEMENT Senior officials make it clear Washington would rather not be dragged in. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert told reporters on Thursday that China and Japan needed to work out their differences on their own. "We've been very clear that these bilateral disagreements have to be worked out with the countries involved," Greenert said after a speech to the Association of the U.S. Navy. But the U.S. might struggle to stay on the sidelines, particularly given its alliances with Japan and other regional powers - almost all with disputes with China. "By the very nature of our global presence, we are going to end up becoming involved," Greenert's predecessor Roughead told Reuters. "We are going to need to use our influence to push for peaceful solutions. But there are going to be challenges." The irony, resorts experts say, is that for companies to be willing to exploit the riches under the sea they will almost invariably require disputes resolved and conflict risks gone. But in times of economic headwinds, nationalistic rhetoric and posturing can seem an appealing distraction. Certainly, those trying to resolve such issues say it is getting harder. "The higher the stakes, the more difficult it is," says Lawrence Martin, a Washington DC-based maritime lawyer advising governments at law firm Foley Hoag. "Some of the states have domestic politics that makes it very difficult to back down." In principle, any such dispute should be arbitrated under the UN Convention UNCLOS, introduced in 1982 and ratified by most countries. The United States, however, has never signed, despite pleas by a succession of presidents, secretaries of state and defence and military chiefs to overcome objections from Congress where some members see it as overly restrictive. The paradox, US experts in particular say, is that Washington has tended to follow the convention almost to the letter when making its own claims, while several states who have ratified it - most notably China - appeared to ignore it. "What we are seeing with these disputes is something we see in a lot of other areas as well," says Jonathan Wood, global issues analyst at London-based consultancy Control Risks. "It's increasingly rare to have global consensus on how to manage difficult issues. And when you think of how a single YouTube video can stir up demonstrations and riots, you can never guarantee these things will not get out of control."

It's official: Video showcasing Philippines is up

How long does it take to answer the question "Why is it more fun in the Philippines?" Apparently less than three minutes, as the government launched an audio visual campaign using the Tourism department's "It's More Fun in the Philippines" theme. The video, which runs for two minutes and 40 seconds, was leaked online last week after it was first shown during a government-led travel expo but was only named "official" Monday. The video was taken down a few hours after it was posted on the government website, however, amid comments on errors in the presentation. In the Tourism department's Facebook page, for instance, a user asked why Korea's Jeju Island has been included in the video as one of the islands in the Philippines. "Calling the attention of the ones who created the AVP. Pa-edit po muna before we share the vid (Please edit it before we share)," another user commented. The video begins by highlighting the Philippines' rich historical past, saying: "We are a country named after a Spanish king to which an American general vowed to return. " "Or as someone described our history, '300 years in a convent and 50 years in Hollywood," the video said in jest. Also featured was the country's biodiversity, with the video noting that the Philippines has "the most species in the least space of anywhere in the planet." Interspersed in the video are humorous takes on common Filipino practices, such as the penchant in asking "Have you eaten?" in greeting. "Our waiters love to sing but they leave the dancing to our traffic policemen or flight attendants," the video said. The video also showed several of the country's festivals. "We have one [fiesta] for every day of the year and everyone's invited," it noted.

Aquino bans Chiz, Loren, Grace Poe from climbing UNA stage

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has banned "common candidates" from sharing the stage when campaigning with opposing slate United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Liberal Party (LP) secretary-general Joseph Emilio-Abaya disclosed the president personally asked Senators Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Loren Legarda as well as Movie and Television Classification and Review Board (MTRCB) chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares not to join UNA senatorial bets on stage during campaign season. "The president clarified that in a meeting with them last week. They agreed on it so it's clear that no arms were twisted. Loren and Chiz will not climb the stage with UNA. That's also applicable to Grace Poe," Abaya revealed. Abaya, who will act as LP president following Interior secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas' leave of absence from the party, explained the aim of the request is to distinguish president's allies who are in direct coalition with him from his allies that are also part from other coalitions. Sen. Franklin Drilon, LP's campaign manager, clarified the need to ask Escudero, Legarda, and Poe-Llamanzares - who were also adopted as UNA's guest candidates - not to climb up UNA stage to avoid serious "conflict of interest." "They are in administration ticket. If UNA will adopt them, we cannot prevent UNA. But it will be difficult if they go up the stage of UNA because they will be endorsing the candidates of UNA," Drilon explained. "It will be very difficult if they will be endorsing the candidates of the administration. That will be a difficult conflict of interest. If they mount their stage, how can you campaign for 18 candidates when there are only 12 slots?" he reiterated. Llamanzares, daughter of the late action icon Fernando Poe Jr, confirmed she committed to campaign exclusively with the candidates that President Aquino endorsed. "You will not see me campaigning with UNA. There has been an agreement and I thank (former president Joseph "Erap") Estrada and Vice President (Jejomar) Binay because they understand my situation," Llamanzares told reporters. "I talked to them and they understand that it is important for me to follow the president's policy in the coalition," she added. Llamanzares, an independent candidate, clarified she will not join LP but explained she coalesced with Aquino's party in expression of her confidence to his administration. "It's better this way. Because I believe in the leadership of the president. I'm here because of him. But I maintain independence in deference to UNA. That's a factor as well," Llamanzares said. For her part, Legarda expressed reservation about the president's request, refusing to reveal the final arrangement between administration slate and UNA's line-up concerning campaign strategies for common candidates. "Those are the logistical things that can be worked out on the ground," Legarda told reporters. Legarda noted she wants her last national campaign to be the "least cost of dirt." She said she wants to spread her environmental advocacy and "not just political noise." Symbolic of that, Legarda gave out banaba seedlings for the plant boxes in Intramuros, where the Commission on Elections holds office. "I had to ask what kind of plants would grow here," she said. She added she will limit the use of tarpaulins, and use the campaign to hold seminars on disaster risk reduction and climate-change adaptation. Meanwhile, Escudero denied President Aquino asked him personally about the arrangement, expressing his intention to conduct his campaign sorties on his own. Admitting some gray areas in the policy, Abaya and Drilon noted they do not plan to impose sanctions on common candidates who might climb up to endorse other bets on UNA stage.

election

A decent election. This is the kind of campaign the Liberal Party (LP) promises to launch against other coalitions, as they announced their complete line-up for the 2013 senatorial polls. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV - a former TV host, youth advocate, and President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's first cousin - led the slate which is mostly composed of incumbent and former elected officials. "I am the youngest one to run in this elections. I am hoping that the people would want to see young people in the Senate who can give new and fresh ideas there," the younger Aquino said. Bam admitted that formal arrangements were only made last week, months after he announced his intent to run for Senate. Meanwhile, the chief executive himself formally announced the senatorial bid of first-time senatorial aspirants like MTRCB chief Grace Poe-Llamanzares, incumbent Aurora Rep. Juan Eduardo "Sonny" Angara, and former Las Pinas City Rep. Cynthia Villar, wife of his 2010 presidential polls foe, Senator Manuel Villar. He also endorsed the reelection bid of former Senators Maria Anna Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal, who was also Aquino's 2010 poll rival, and Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay Jr. as well as incumbent Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV. Incumbent Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, who bolted out of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) months ago, also received the endorsement of the administration slate with former Akbayan party-list member Risa Hontiveros. This is the second senatorial race for Hontiveros, who lost in the 2010 national elections. On the other hand, the chief executive also endorsed reelectionist Senators Loren Legarda and Francis "Chiz" Escudero even though the top senatorial bets were already adopted as guest candidates in UNA. Newly-appointed Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas, who recently filed his leave as LP president, vowed they would launch a campaign that is marked with “decency, honor, and integrity.” LP campaign manager Senator Franklin Drilon said they would launch a media-oriented campaign, tapping the online media to get their advocacies across instead of filling sorties with funfare like in the previous elections.

spratly islands

The Philippines has deployed 800 more Marines and opened a new headquarters to guard its interests in the disputed Spratly islands, which China also claims, a senior military official said Sunday. Straddling vital shipping lanes and believed sitting atop vast reserves of mineral deposits, including oil, the Spratlys chain in the South China Sea has long been considered a flashpoint for conflict in the region. Apart from the Philippines and China, the Spratlys are claimed in whole or in part by Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. Lieutenant General Juancho Sabban, appearing to want to assuage Beijing in particular, said the deployment was only meant as a defensive measure and should not be seen as an aggressive move. "These two battalions which arrived recently will be augmenting protection of our islands," Sabban, who heads the military garrison which has jurisdiction over the Spratlys, told AFP. "We are just on a defensive posture and are ensuring the defence of our islands. It is better to defend than retake islands once other claimants occupy them." He said a Marine brigade headquarters had also been created on the nearby Philippine province of Palawan, facing the South China Sea, "to provide command and control" over the forces. The Marines will not be stationed on the Spratlys but will patrol nearby. Sabban accused China of continually fortifying its structures on islands in the Spratlys that Beijing controls, though at present "no claimant countries have manifested any offensive action". "We are not there to create a situation where it will lead to an accidental conflict and escalate into a regional problem," Sabban stressed. China, which is in a dispute with Japan over islands in the East China Sea, has been accused of ramping up tensions in the South China Sea. The Philippines and Vietnam over the past year raised alarm over Beijing's assertiveness. China claims all of the South China Sea, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea, even waters close to its Asian neighbours. Sabban's announcement came just days after incoming Chinese leader Xi Jinping met a special Philippine envoy and expressed hope bilateral ties would improve. The meeting was set months after both sides were locked in a tense standoff in Scarborough shoal, another outcrop in the South China Sea north of the Spratlys.

nokia models

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Struggling phone maker Nokia has knocked 10-15 percent off the prices of two of its top of the range smartphones, hoping to boost sales before newer models arrive in markets in November. Nokia has cut the price of the Lumia 800 by around 15 percent and the Lumia 900 by 10 percent in Europe, according to device pricing data compiled by British research firm CCS Insight. Nokia declined to comment. Earlier this month, Nokia launched Lumia 820 and 920, which many see as crucial for the Finnish company's survival. But the newest models will only go on sale in November, leaving the company's sales team struggling with older smartphone models for over a month. Nokia had already slashed the price of the Lumia 800 by around 15 percent earlier this month and made smaller cuts for its other Lumia models. Once the world's biggest mobile phone maker, Nokia fell behind rivals in smartphones and has racked up more than 3 billion euros ($3.86 billion) in operating losses in the last 18 months. In early 2011, it bet its future on Microsoft's Windows Phone software. Windows accounts for only around 3 percent of global smartphones, while Google's Android platform controls two-thirds of sales and Apple has around a quarter. Competitive pricing is considered crucial for Nokia to lure back customers, even though pricing does not seem to be an issue for rival Apple. In Belgium, for example, more than 10,000 people have pre-registered for the latest iPhone even before a local price has been set.

kris aquino

Senatorial aspirants came in a trickle to file their certificates of candidacy Monday morning, but colorful candidates managed to spice things up. An aspiring senator, Danilo Magtira of Tondo, listed his profession as a "Talentadong Pinoy" and his civil status as married. His supposed spouse: A certain Kris Aquino. On his Certificate of Candidacy, he said he was nominated by both First Lady Imelda Marcos and Manila Rep. Carlos Lopez. Also running for senator is Salam Luisong Taguian, who called himself a "maharlika" and heir to the entire Philippines. He said he was the legitimate heir of "01-4", and that he is running because he felt pity for the country. He promised "land for the landless" and that there will be no more squatters if he wins. "Whatever I want shall be done he said," adding China should respect private property over the disputed Scarborough Shoal. Asked by reporters whether he had already made contact with China over his territorial claim, he said he hasn't. "Let the government do something for me for once." Meanwhile, among the reelectionists, it was "Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III who filed a Certificate of Candidacy.

Anne Curtis, Ginebra and other tidbits from PBA Opening Day

Email Print PBA Chairman Robert Non with Barangay Ginebra players. (PBA Images) The Araneta Center was abuzz yesterday with long lines queuing at the Araneta Coliseum as early as 2pm, for the chance to witness the opening ceremonies and inaugural game of the 2013 PBA Season Philippine Cup between the GlobalPort Batang Pier and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings. Truly, yesterday was such a treat for the fans present at the Big Dome as the players from all ten PBA teams were scattered all over the hallway waiting to be called in for the presentation of teams on the hardcourt. This gave fans the opportunity to meet the players, pose with them for pictures, get autographs, and even converse with them. Children and adults alike were giddy as they posed with player after player, sharing rare moments with their cage idols. A little past half past four in the afternoon, the lights dimmed and the coliseum announcer requested everyone to stand for the Philippine National Anthem. A light, dance, video, and acrobatic show ensued, showcasing the league's different teams. Several fans were made a part of the show, as they unfurled a huge Philippine flag, brought in candles as an 11-year old girl recited a prayer and sang, and stood on court wearing their favorite team colors. Commissioner Chito Salud addressed the crowd, giving a report about what transpired last season, and what to expect this season, which he dubbed as the "2013 Season of the PBA." He urged the fans to keep supporting the league, and the players to always play hard, with dignity, and respect for each other, and cautioned that he would "weed out" any would-be hooligans who inflict harm and injury on others during games. Then, to everyone's delight, one by one, the beautiful muses for each team were called in. The PBA Board of Governors with the team muses. (PBA Images) The lovely ladies did not parade in with the players, but rather met their respective team representatives to the PBA Board of Governors at halfcourt before walking over to their designated spots. Each Governor, except one, made sure to greet his team's muse with a "beso". It was Mikee Romero of GlobalPort who merely shook the hand of his team's muse, Sam Pinto, which left most men in attendance shaking their heads wondering. Anne Curtis was splendid in a blue outfit for the San Mig Coffee Mixers. Other muses were Stephany Stefanowitz (Air 21), Rizzini Alexis Gomez (Alaska), Georgina Wilson (Barangay Ginebra San Miguel), Sophie Albert and the rest of the Artista Academy girls (Meralco), Isabelle Daza (Petron), Camille Guevarra (Rain or Shine), Ciane Xavier (Barako), and Alice Dixson (Talk 'N Text). San Mig Coffee muse Anne Curtis looked radiant in a blue dress. (PBA Images) Then Pinoy rap group Salbakuta came on the floor to rap the introductions for each team. Players entered the court from different spots in the stands, walking through the aisles right beside the fans, who enjoyed being so close to them. Smoke and music filled the air as the announcer shouted out each name. It was nice to see the players horse around with each other and interact with players from other teams as they stood on the Araneta court. The rookies were visibly in awe of what was happening, smiling as they looked around and took in the scene. Clearly, they were also enjoying the festivities. The announcer called on the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Robert Non of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, to formally declare open the 38th Season of the PBA. Mr Non thanked everyone for coming and promised bigger and better things this season. He, of course, took the opportunity to urge on his team's fans, the Barangay Ginebra, to do the "Gi-neb-ra" chant, as the Kings rushed to midcourt and stood around him for a few seconds. He then declared open the 2013 PBA Season as the crowd of almost 19,000 cheered. As the remains of the opening ceremonies were cleared up, celebrities Bayani Agbayani and Tuesday Vargas kept the crowd entertained with their humor and interaction with fans in the crowd, whom they asked to sing songs. One Alaska fan's nerves got the best of her and she never was able to sing "Dancing Queen", as she said she would. GlobalPort and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel came in to warm-up. Superstar Gary David entertained the crowd when, during a stretching drill, he started dancing to the tune of Gangnam Style playing in the background. Players from both teams threw out souvenirs to the crowd and, finally, the game was underway. Barangay Ginebra newcomer LA Tenorio started the game and the Barangay faithful loudly welcomed him during introductions. Rookie Chris Ellis also drew cheers from the crowd, especially whenever he would get the ball for a possible slam dunk, something he is already famous for this early in his career. Rudy Lingganay of GlobalPort scored the first two points for the 2013 PBA Season, but the lead his team had at that point was the only one it would enjoy. Barangay Ginebra went on a tear as Allein Maliksi scored six quick points, ably backed up by Billy Mamaril and Rico Maierhofer. Three pointers by Global Port kept them in the game at the end of one, trailing by just six, 26-20. In the second quarter, Batang Pier offseason pick-up Willie Miller struggled to keep his team afloat. He made a few baskets, but frequent turnovers forced by the great defense of Barangay Ginebra, which forced Global Port into two or three 24-second violations, caused the lead to expand to sixteen, 55-39, at the half. The Ginebra frontline was thoroughly dominating the Global Port big men, as rookie Keith Jensen came off the bench to immediately produce, and Rudy Hatfield was patrolling the middle and grabbing rebounds. GlobalPort's Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Ginebra's Billy Mamaril. (PBA Images) Things only got worse for Glenn Capacio's team in the third quarter as they could not buy a basket. Capacio went deep into his bench, but could not find any relief. On the other hand, with Tenorio orchestrating and almost everyone else for Barangay Ginebra following his lead, the Kings pulled away even further to lead 86-64 at the end of the third. David was having one of his worst offensive nights in recent memory, as he struggled to even get his shot off. He was held scoreless until very late in the game, hitting several free throws to finish with only nine points, the first time he did not score in double figures in more than forty games. The teams went through the motions in the fourth quarter, and GlobalPort made a short run to cut the lead down to just eleven. However, time quickly passed and the game ended with Barangay Ginebra's finishing kick pegging the final score at 110-90, a twenty-point victory in its opening game before a throng of adoring fans. GlobalPort needs to make adjustments quickly. The pressure of playing in a full house on opening day versus the crowd favorites obviously got to the Batang Pier, but there is obviously room for vast improvement. Jondan Salvador fought bravely underneath the boards, but he needs more muscle from his frontline allies. Angel Raymundo and Rabeh Al-Husseini started last night, but only made their presence felt on occasion. David will not play as terribly as he did last night often, so fans should look for a bounce-back-in-a-big-way game from him coming soon. Miller is still a shot-maker extraordinaire, but as I said in my team-by-team review, there will be an adjustment on how he fits in and works with David. All-in-all, this was not a glamorous debut for the Batang Pier. Nowhere near the team that made the Finals in last year's Philippine Cup, they might struggle for wins. Barangay Ginebra fans, on the other hand, liked what they saw. Tenorio was adjudged Best Player of the Game even if he only scored two points, since he had nine rebounds and ten assists, playing the point well in only his first game in Ginebra red. Caguioa entertained the crowd, as did Jayjay Helterbrand in limited minutes. Willie Wilson was also his usual reliable self. Everyone, though, was talking about the Ginebra frontline. While Caguio topscord with 18, Mamaril and Maierhofer had 14 apiece, rookies Jensen and Ellis had 13 and 12, respectively, Hatfield had 11, Kerby Raymundo had 8, and Maliksi finished with 7. Balanced frontline scoring and rebounding spelled instant success for Barangay Ginebra. Dylan Ababou and Elmer Espiritu did not even get a chance to play, and we all know how effective both of them can be. I said that determining the frontline rotation of Barangay Ginebra will be the key on how far they may go. For Coach Siot Tanquincen, it seemed anyone he put in knew what to do and did it pretty well, if not excellently. Let's see how their next few games go, though, before we bring them up to sure title contender status. In sum, the opening day was a day of celebration, a day for the fans. There was a festive, party atmosphere at the Big Dome yesterday. PBA officials made sure the opening ceremonies were fairly short but entertaining, and there was barely a dull moment the entire time. It's too bad the game was not a close one, but that did little to dampen the spirits of those present, as most of the crowd stayed until the final buzzer. And, of course, Anne Curtis was there. Enough said. With the mix of talent, old and new, and the unending support of the PBA fans, we are all looking forward to another banner season. O, ano? Habang maaga pa, kampihan na!

love

ve 0001. Every teardrop is precious so better make sure that if you drop some, it’s worth crying for you can never pick them up and put them back to your eyes. 0002. Learn to appreciate the rainbow after cursing the rain. It’s just like loving again after experiencing the pain. 0003. Never expect love to always be at its best cause if you do, you’ll never learn to appreciate its existence. 0004. Don’t force yourself to fall in love just because you think it’s your turn. Wait for a while, maybe cupids are having a hard time searching for the heart that deserves the kind of love you can give. 0005. To reach for another is to risk involvement, to expose your feelings is to expose your true self, to love is to risk not to be loved in return. 0006. Words and hearts should be handled with care for words when spoken and hearts when broken are the hardest things to repair. 0007. Love doesn’t count on the laughter that you shared but on the pain and tears you tried to get over with just for the sake of holding on. 0008. Telling someone how you feel does not hurt as much as not saying anything at all to that someone who is deeply in love with you. 0009. You can close your eyes from the things you don’t want to see but you can never close your heart from the things you don’t want to feel. 0010. No love can hurt as much as the love that can never be and no thought can hurt as much as the thought of a love that could have been. 0011. Remember that the more we try to forget someone we love, the more painful letting go will become. 0012. The greatest pain in life is to be ignored, to lose the person you love to someone who doesn’t care at all. 0013. Be careful to whom you give your heart because when you give your heart to someone, you’re not only giving that person the right to love you back but also the power to hurt you. 0014. If you think it’s time to let go, then just let go. There’s no point in looking back to what you have already lost. 0015. It is tough to stay single in this world where everybody expects you to be with somebody. What they fail to realize is that staying single is not about having no choice. Rather, it’s an opportunity to make intelligent choices. 0016. Just when you think things can't get any worse, they do. I've learned that life is like an hourglass. Sooner or later, everything hits rock bottom. All you have to do is be patient and wait for someone to turn everything back around. 0017. The reality of the other person lies not in what he reveals to you but in what he cannot reveal to you. Therefore, if you want to understand him, listen not to what he says but to what he does not say. 0018. The heart is the center of our chest but it beats at the left side. I guess that’s the reason why the heart isn’t always right. 0019. When you make decisions, follow your heart and not your mind. For if your mind’s decision fails, you regret. But if your heart fails, you just smile and say, “Nice try.” 0020. Happiness lies in those who cry, those who have been hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. 0021. Real tears are not those that fall from the eyes and cover the face but are those that fall from the heart and cover the soul. 0022. When all the wishes in your mind, all the dreams you’ve had and all the things you’ve ever hoped for soared into the sky and were reflected in someone’s eyes, then you have found your destiny. 0023. Love until it hurts and when it hurts, love some more. Love until you don’t care about the pain, until you stop expecting anything in return, until all that matters is loving that person the best way you can.