SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

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aittimes.net

02PH among Forbes’

20 best retirement

places in the world 03OFW-Movement

celebrates Valentines

Page 02Zumba Lovers session every Friday continues at Qadsiya Gym

MANILA: Kinakitaan umano ng sintomas ngMiddle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus(MERS-CoV) ang 11 katao na nakasalamuha ngPinay nurse mula Saudi Arabia. Ito ang nabatidmula kay acting Health Secretary Janette Garinkung saan sinabi nito na inoobserbahan ngay-on ang 11 sa 56 ‘close contacts’ ng nurse nanatukoy ng kagawaran.

Ang close contacts ay bukod pa sa higit 200nakasama ng nurse sa Saudia flight 860.Binubuo ito ng mga kaanak at personnel saEvangelista Medical Specialty Center sa SanPedro, Laguna kung saan unang isinugod angnurse. Nagnegatibo sa unang test ang 56 closecontacts pero nagpakita ng sintomas ang 11 atbatay sa direktiba ng World HealthOrganization, paliwanag ni Garin, kailangansilang muling kunan ng ibang samples paramakumpirmang wala itong MERS-CoV.

11 nakasalamuha ng Pinay nurse,

may sintomas ng MERS-CoV

MANILA: Inflation may fall below the low end of offi-cial forecasts for a few months, giving monetaryauthorities space to ease policy settings to supporteconomic growth, American financial giant JP Morgansaid. The bank said yesterday that the country’s lowerimport bill-a result of cheaper fuel from abroad-gavethe economy a buffer to absorb capital flight later thisyear if investor sentiment toward emerging marketsturned sour.

This followed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP)decision to keep interest rates steady at near recordlows this week due to low inflation.

“Inflation could drift to the lower bound of theinflation target range,” JP Morgan chief economist forSoutheast Asia Sin Ben Ong said in a note to investors.

He said domestic activity is expected to remainfirm throughout the year. “This should keep the cen-tral bank on hold through the first half of 2015,” hesaid. Inflation in January slowed to 2.4 percent-theslowest since the third quarter of 2013-from 2.7 per-cent in December. For all of this year, the BSP wants tokeep inflation within a range of 2 to 4 percent.-Inquirer.net

JP Morgan sees

low PH inflation

CEBU CITY: Retired Cebu ArchbishopRicardo Cardinal Vidal has joined calls forPresident Benigno Aquino III’s resigna-tion following the Mamasapano clashbetween government forces andMuslim rebels.

Vidal, as chairman of the NationalTransformation Council (NTC), urgedAquino to step down from office andalso called for reforms in the system ofgovernment.

“We, bishops of the Catholic and oth-

er Christian Churches, have often beenasked if there is moral basis to this grow-ing demand. Even long before theunfortunate events, the NationalTransformation Council has stronglyarticulated that the President stepdown. Recent developments have madethe call even more urgent and impera-tive,” he said in a press conference Friday.

Vidal’s view was supported by BishopRamon Villena, Archbishop Ramon

Continued on Page 3

MANILA: People buy flowers at a street stall on the eve of Valentine’s Day in Manila. Filipinos traditionally mark February 14 with roman-tic expressions with flowers and other gifts as people around the world celebrate the traditional lovers’ day on February 14. —AFP

Cardinal Vidal joins calls for Aquino’s resignation

Palace says PNoy committed to finish term

MANILA: (File) Aquino greets Cardinal Vidal (center) andArchbishop Palma (right) at the presidential

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 2

MANILA: Deciding where to settle down afteryour retirement? Foreigners might want to con-sider the Philippines after it bagged a spot inForbes magazine’s “20 Best Foreign RetirementHavens for 2015.”

“For U.S. retirees the principal appeal of thePhilippines is a low cost of living in a tropical envi-ronment full of English speakers and outdoorbeauty,” Forbes said in its website.

The business magazine, which often comesout with lists and rankings of countries and per-sonalities, further noted that foreign income is

also untaxed in the Philippines.A foreign national can easily obtain permanent

residency by showing their retirement income, itsaid.

“Popular locations include Tagaytay, a suburbof Manila, the capital, that is elevated and there-fore cooler, and Subic Bay, with an infrastructurefrom the old U.S. Navy base. Non-stop flightsbetween Manila and the US average 15 hours,” itadded.

Forbes said it based its rankings on the follow-ing factors: cost of living, taxes, medical care, cli-

mate, security and crime, cultural attractions andhospitality, as well as ease of return to the US.

Below is a copy of the list in alphabetical order:1. Australia2. Belize3. Canada4. Chile5. Colombia6. Costa Rica7. Croatia8. Ecuador

9. France10. Ireland11. Italy12. Malaysia13. Mexico14. Nicaragua15. Panama16. Philippines17. Portugal18. Spain19. Thailand20. Uruguay (Source: Inquirer.net)

PH among Forbes’ 20 best retirement places in the world

KUIWAIT: ZIN Jannet Miranda from StretchGym, Lyle Colina of Flex Health Club, The GymTeam, clients from Strecth Gym, pioneeringinstructors Marin and Remy with fitness men-tors ZIN Janice Capili and ZIN Blanche Bravograced the Zumba class held at the QadsiyaGym Friday morning with 150 attendees ofdifferent nationals. Warm-up, cooldown andBasic Banghra regimens were led by RickyLaxa from Viking Club of Radisson Blu Hotel,Zin Jannet and Lyle Colina with their Latin

Zumba routines and hiphop workout. The Friday event hopes to raise awareness

on the importance of exercise on daily routineand raise funds to support individuals orgroup that may need assistance. The groupwas founded in May of 2014 by the wife of thePhilippine Labor AttachÈ Gwen Chavez andmentored by fitness trainer Ricky Laxa. Classesare held every Friday from 8 am till 9:30 am atthe Judo Hall of Qadsia Gym and feature dif-ferent instructors to lead the workout.

Zumba Lovers session every Friday continues at Qadsiya Gym

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 3

Continued from Page 1

Arguelles, Archbishop Romulo dela Cruz,Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla and BishopFilomeno Bactol.

Former Senator Kit Tatad and former NationalSecurity Adviser Norberto Gonzales also gave theirsupport on the matter.

Malaca?ang said it respects “contrary views” butmaintained the President is committed to finish histerm.

“While we respect contrary views, we affirm thePresident’s firm commitment to fulfill his sworn dutyuntil the completion of his term of office,”Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said in atext message.

Meanwhile, the NTC clarified that they are notplanning to be part of the alleged coup d’etat brew-ing against the President.

The NTC said they only encourage the public tostand united for change.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, for his part, said the

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP),has no plans of getting involved in any political activi-ties.

Palma said he only wants the President to answerquestions regarding the Mamasapano operation thatresulted in the deaths of 44 Special Action Force (SAF)commandos.

Meanwhile, a Mass was celebrated at Vidal’s smallchapel in his residence in Cebu City on Saturdaymorning for the fallen SAF troopers. — ABS-CBNNews

Palace says PNoy committed to finish term

OFW-Movement celebrates Valentines

KUWAIT: OFW Movement for Peace, Justice and ProgressKuwait Chapter, celebrated a pre-Valentine’s Day party, lastFriday.

Princess Gemini and Virgo Dave bagged Mr. and Miss

Valentines 2015 title. Games, food and the birthday party ofadmins Rowena Agustin and Reza Jope were also celebratedin the said event. FPJPI President Vanessa Galila, thank every-one for their share. The event was also attended by respective

FILCOM leaders namely, Bill valenzuela of PICE, ReynanPedrosa of delta squad, together with founder lee. The eventwas hosted by Cristy Zailon and with the support of OFWmovement, admins and members!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 4

KUWAIT: The Filipino Badminton Committee(FBC) kicked off its 54th badminton tournamentdubbed as the’ 8th Anniversary Cup’. at theirhome-court Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, BinKhaldoun, Hawally. Over 110 badminton enthu-siast showed up to register and played bad-minton. The tournament was divided into threecategories each managed by TournamentManagers (TM) namely : Advance Category: TMVincent Diculin, Intermediate Category :TM ArielAbellar and Novice Category : TM Engr. LouieLadaga of IMCO. FBC Executive Committee alsoreleases its official FBC I.D to all its members. FBCChairman Dr. Chie Umandap stated that the EXE-COM is inviting establishments like Coffee Shops,restaurants, clinics and electronic stores to joinits “mutual benefit program” wherein establish-ments are welcome to provide discounts or free-bies upon presentation of FBC ID, in return theorganization will also promote and patronize theparticipating establishments. For interestedcompanies please call 97197268 or via email atfbckpi@gmail.com FBC President Regine Panesalis inviting all past and present FBC members toattend its 8th Founding Anniversary andReunion on February 27 at Crown Plaza Hotel,Farwaniya. For your invitation please call67733279.

FBC opens 8th Anniversary Cup

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 6Balitang Showbiz Plus

Ni Bong Pagutayaopanorama@kuwaittimes.net

BengarciaFILES

Ni Ben Garciabengarcia@kuwaittimes.net

Noong January 25, 2015, naganap ang isa sa pinakamadugong bakbakan ng pulislaban sa mga rebeldeng grupo sa Mamasapano Maguindanao. 44 na miyembrong PNP-Special Action Force ang namatay. Hindi ito, ordinaryong police opera-

tion dahil sangkot ang international terrorists na umano ay nagtatago sa teritoryo ngmga rebelde sina Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir alyas Commander Marwan atforeign-trained bomb maker Abdul Bassit Usman. Noong nakaraang linggo kinumpir-ma ang pagkamatay sa madugong sagupaan ni alyas Marwan, pero buhay si Usman. SiMarwan ay may-patong sa ulong $5-million na ibibigay ng US Federal Bureau ofInvestigation oras na mamamaty ang Jemaah Islamiya leader, samantalang $1-millionnaman ang nakapatong sa ulo ni Usman. Hindi pa nakikita kung nasaan nagtatago siUsman hanggang ngayon.

Ang naganap na bakbakan ay naging isang dambuhalang balita, na hindi mamatay-matay hanggang sa ngayon. Kumplikado, masalimuot, dahil sa mga nagsanga-sangangissues, kabilang ang hangad na kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Hanap ng mga Pinoy angkatotohanan, katarungan, hustisya, lakip ang dalangin ng kapayapaan.

Katotohanan: Ano ang totoo sa naganap na operasyon? Sinu ang nag-utos? Anoang papel ni Pangulong Aquino. Bakit involved ang suspended PNP Chief sa operasyon,gaano ang lawak ng kanyang kaalaman sa madugong operasyon. Bakit hindi alam ngmga lider ng DILG at AFP? Unang lumabas noon si Pangulong Aquino sa media at sin-abi niyang mis-encounter ang naganap, wala daw coordination kaya galit siya sa SAFcommander kaya niya ito sinabak agad. Kung nagkaroon lang daw sana ng coordina-tion baka nagkaroon daw sana ng back-up at na-rescue ang mga SAF commandos nalumusob sa kuta ng mga kaaway. Hindi raw alam ni Pangulong Aquino na mayroongganyang operasyon, iyan ang binanggit niya noong una; pero ilang araw ang jumipasnoong matiyak nyang napatay na si Marwan, lumabas ulet si Aquino on national televi-sion at sinasabi niyang it was a legitimate operation at inaako niya ang responsibilidadsa pagkamatay ng tinawag niyang mga anak ‘ang SAF44’. Pero todo tanggi pa rin siyadahil hindi raw siya nagbigay ng go-signal para isagawa ang operasyon. Madami pangtanong ang lumutang. Bakit lumalabas na hindi pala alam ni Secretary of Interior andLocal Government Mar Roxas ang operasyon? Itinago din daw sa AFP Chief of Staff angoperasyon kaya lalong nagkaroon ng mas-malalim at kumplikadong kuwento. Marahildaw ay para ma-save ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa MILF at maipasa pa rin angBangsamoro Basic Law na nasa kamay na ngayon ng Kongreso.

Katarungan: Hindi lamang pamilya ng SAF44 ang humihingi ng katarungan, mag-ing ang taumbayan. Noong dumating ang mga bangkay ng mga magigiting na pulis saVillamor Airbase, hindi nagpakita si Pangulong Aquino, bagkos, dumalo ito sa isanginagurasyon ng isang planta ng sasakyan. Mas-malong nasaktan ang mga Pinoy. Kungbakit daw hindi man lang binigyan ng pagpupugay ni Pangulong Aquino ang mganagbuwis ng buhay na pulis at mas-pinahalagahan pa niya ang planta ng sasakyan.Kasama na ngayon sa humihingi ng linaw at katarungan ang kongreso. Sa katunayan,nagkaroon na ng mga pagdinig ang Lower at Upper House at lumabas doon ang mali-naw na papel ni Pangulong Aquino at General Allan Purisima. Pero tikom ang bibig ngilang heneral ukol sa kung hanggang saan ang nalalaman ni Pangulong Aquino.Nabulgar din sa pagdinig ang meeting ng ilang opisyales ng PNP at AFP bago pa manumano ang bakbakan sa Mamasapano kung saan naroroon si Pangulong Aquino.

Hustisya: Hustisya ang hiling ng mga Pinoy at pamilya ng mga nasawing pulis.Habang hindi nagiging malinaw ang usapin, isang kasunduang pangkapayapaan sapagitan ng Pilipinas at MILF ang naiipit sa gulong ito; at tila hingalo ngayon at mal-abong maipanalo ang Bangsamoro Basic Law sa kongreso na 17 years ding nakabinbin.Ang dahilan, sangkot ang ilang mga tauhan ng MILF sa madugong encounter na ito,dahil malapit o sa loob nga dawnig teritoryo nila naganap ang bakbakan na sinamahanpa ng ilang mga lawless elements doon tulad ng BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic FreedomFighters). Naging matunog din ngayon ang panawagan sa pagbibitiw ni PangulongAquino dahil sa Mamasapano encounter na ito. Sa katunayan, si Cardinal Ricardo Vidalang nangunguna sa panawagan ng pagbaba sa puwesto ni Aquino. Nabulgar din sapagdinig ang umano’y tangkang pag-agaw sa kapangyarihan na kasalukuyanumanong niluluto sangkot di-umano ang maimpluwensiya at mayamang business-man.

Kapayapaan: Anuman ang kalabasan ng mga pagkilos pulitikal ngayon sa Pilipinas,hangad natin ang kapayapaan, at pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino. Ayaw na natin ng giyeraat panibagong padanak ng dugo! Kung anuman ang pinagdaraan ng ating bansamalalagpasan din natin ito tulad ng dati!

Katotohanan, katarungan,

hustisya at kapayapaan!

Chika-chika lang ito... Tong-tongpakitong kitong ang tamaanhuwag magalit ang pumiyok

ay Concernnnnnnn! Better late thannothing at all...yan ang sinasabi ko saating mga mahal na KababayangPinoy sa Kuwait. Gawin ang pagti-tipid, kahit late na sige lang, may-maaabot pa rin yan kahit nasa dulona. Ang iba kasi, feeling rich, parangwala nang bukas. Magisip-isip hindilang ngayon, mayroon pangbukas...handa ka ba sa pagtanda mo?Esep esep din pag-may-time, sa mganagaganap ngayon sa ating kapaligi-ran, baka isang araw uuwi ka rin saiyong bayan...handa ka ba? Mayroonka bang datong, hindi ka ba iiyak,pagnakauwi ka na? Naku,kabayan...pasiguro mo ang pera mo,hindi ka doon makakautang dahilalam nila kung galing ka sa ibangbansa, dapat mayaman ka. E papaanonga kung wala!? Kawawa ka lang!

•••••• Malaking bagay daw ang pagkaka-

roon ng love life ni Sarah Geronimokay Matteo Guidicelli kaya napana-natili ng aktres ang magandang aura.Maganda raw na mayroong mga taona nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa araw-araw niyang mga ginagawa. “Oponaman. Ito ‘yung mga taong nagtiti-wala sa akin nang ganito kalaki.Siyempre unang-una pamilya, ‘yungspecial someone, ‘yung trabaho, pas-sion for music,” nakangiting pahayag

ni Sarah. Ngayong araw ng mga pusoay inamin ng dalaga na ito na angpangalawang taon na nagdiwang silabilang magkasintahan. “Okay naman,nakapag-celebrate naman pero hindiyata sa 14 din. Wala naman pongplano kasi pareho po kaming may tra-baho. May live po kami for The Voice,”pagbabahagi ni Sarah. “Sa akin angimportante lang na Valentine gift ispagmamahalan, pag-iintindi, ‘yunlang sa akin,” dagdag pa ng PopstarPrincess.-PSN

••••••Ngayong araw na ito ang pag-

iisang dibdib nina Sen. Chiz Escuderoat Heart Evangelista na gaganapin saBalesin Island. Kaya nitong mganakaraang araw ay medyo senti angKapuso actress sa mga ipinu-post sakanyang Instagram account? Nasaisang post niya ay kinumpirma niyanghindi makakarating ang kanyangmagulang. Kaya ipinarating nito sakanyang Instagram account angkanyang saloobin sa kanyang magu-lang.

Ipinost nito ang locket na maylitrato ng kanyang Mommy at Daddy.Nasa caption nito: “Keeping this closeto my heart...I’ll never forget howmuch I was loved my wholelife.. .thank you mom and dad foreverything. Always your baby girl,although my heart breaks not to haveyou here...I love you mom and dad nomatter what. In time I know every-thing will fall into place.”—PSN

Love life ni Sarah G. kay Matteo

gift niya ngayong Valentines

Sarah Geronimo

Heart

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

FBC opens 8th

Anniversary Cup

Page 4

By Zander Grande

KUWAIT: Midway of the eliminationround in the on-going PhilippineBowling Association in Kuwait 1st SeasonLeague Team Tournament that was heldat Cozmo Kheifan, thrills and excitementcontinued when protagonists and antag-onists in the free zone outpaced eachother to move in a safer ground. Thethree leaders, All Star Strikers, COZMOand Z’CLAS Strikers remain untouchablewhile tremor shakedown the holders offourth to tenth position.

Despite playing with four courageousbowlers in the first game, UAE Exchangecontinued its third winning streak toadvance and steal the eight positionfrom their arch-rival Thunder Dragonswho was ejected from the “Magic 8.” InGame 1, the undermanned remittanceKing lost with just eight pins 841-849 buttook vengeance in the second game 965-880 with the high games of Aldin Avila(236) and Rani Skeik (226) with 52 pointsadvantage. In the final game, the 5-manteam of UAE aggressively persist andwon the game anew with 923-834 scores

with final result of 2754-2588. As usualthe “silent killer” Aldin piloted its teamwith his 213/236/222 (671) supported byRani (573), Rudy de Lima (500), MichelleAvila and Mariotte Vito. The Dragonsquintet were Mar Evangelista, EddiePena, Joel Tizon, Moises Amahan, MariaPerly Virly and Eden Evangelista.

After losing its games for two succes-sive weeks, retribution of LEAF was per-ceived by idle Bowlersmate and LEAFfilching the team high series for the sec-ond time. Filipino Landscape Engineerseasily deposed the friendly bowlers withtheir 3-game series 977-942/950-869/939-881 (2891-2692). With the win-lose results LEAF jumped from seventhto fifth position while Bowlersmate slidefrom fifth to sixth place. High scorers ofLEAF were Lito Mercado (547) and ReneMarzan (541) assisted by Joe Presenta,Rocky Castil and Maricel Montero. Forthe losers, the bowlers were RashidAkher Ali (521), Fe Ferrer (504), Ali AdekAta Khalil (503), Aji Varghese HammadYassen and Jess Tolentino.

The collision of the two titans,Cozmo and Z’CLAS Strikers the later

showed its supremacy after the 3-gameseries. Win-lose results did not changetheir standing inside the elite group. InGames 1 and 2 the sure strikes ofZ”CLAS disappeared when Cozmicbowlers used their wrecking balls todemolished the Strikers 934-813/980-846. In the last game, Z’CLAS requitedand won the game when siblingsHermie and Ferdie Saliba scored aboveaverage and ended with the score of946-821. Cozmo top scorers were NoeMahayag (624), Jun Husmillo (546), FaridGabriek (521) with Aris de Guzman andJeanette Angeles while Strikers playerswere Ferdie (548), Hermie (532), TonyZulueta, Alex and Neng Cervantes andKevin Andaya.

Other results: The Asian Air Safaristopped the Swooping Eagles on itsmission to fly higher 2783-2721. Ganidela Cruz (588) and Sonia Mathews(541) led their team to victory whileEagles top scorers were Alonzo Bush(536) and Danny Solis (516) whosnatched the Individual High Gamefrom Jess Tolentino (234-224). All StarStrikers continued its winning spree by

obliterating Nusantara 2750-2623. Topscorers were Mohannad Ebrahim (645),Marjorie Mercado (557) and Joe White(514). Original Pin Killers strikes anewwhen they butchered the curtain raiserVelocity Wonders (2811-2449) and thetop honcho were Greg Melancon (644)and Chris Bush (507).

Official results of the Sixth round: 1.

All Stars Strikers (16570); 2. Cozmo(16472); 3. Z’CLAS Strikers (16271); 4.Original Pin Killers (16213); 5. LEAF(16158); 6. Bowlersmate (16101); 7.Nusantara (15955); 8. UAE Exchange(15693); 9. Swooping Eagles (15578); 10.Thunder Dragons (15543); 11. Asian AirSafari (15467) and 12. Velocity Wonders(14623).

Individual High Game Individual High AverageMens -A-Greg Melancon 280 Greg Melancon 202.83Mens -B Danny Solis 234 Saleh Al Faraj 181.18Mens-C Moises Amahan 238 Moises Amahan 163.46Ladies A Mina Andaya 226 Marjorie Mercado 176.40Ladies B Angie Bush 193 Angie Bush 166.28

Team High Game (Scratch) - All Star Strikers (948)Team High Series (Scratch + Handicap) Cozmo (2852)

Team Weekly SeriesWeek 1 - Original Pin Killers 2697Week 2 - Z’CLAS Strikers 2724Week 3 - LEAF 2756Week 4 - All Star Strikers 2828Week 5 - Swooping Eagles 2809

UAE Exchange joins elite group Thunder Dragons out