SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015

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aittimes.net

02 03‘I choose Philippines’

bags grand prize

Page 04‘Simbang Gabi’ reunites old friends, families

Pinoy Arabia FM ‘SingGaling karoling’ finals

sa Huwebes na!

BATAM: Six Filipino crewmen were missing Thursdayafter their cargo ship collided with a chemical tankerand sank off western Indonesia, officials said. Six oth-er people were rescued. The Danish cargo shipThorco Cloud collided with the chemical tanker StoltCommitment about 8 miles (13 kilometers) offIndonesia’s Batam island late Wednesday, port offi-cial Gajah Rooseno said.

The collision ripped a large hole below the waterline on the cargo ship, causing it to sink, he said. Thetanker, operated by Stolt Tankers, suffered onlyminor damage. Rooseno said the cargo ship had 12crew members from Ukraine and the Philippines andwas operated by Copenhagen-based ThorcoShipping. Thomas Mikkelsen, CEO of ThorcoShipping, said the ship’s captain was among thoserescued. He said the vessel was coming from Japanand was en route to western African before crossingto Brazil. —AFP

MANILA: Heavy rains pummelled the entirePhilippines yesterday, threatening to aggra-vate flooding that has prompted the govern-ment to declare a state of “national calamity”.

The death toll after a week of devastatingweather has risen to 35, according to con-firmed reports from national and local disas-ter monitoring agencies.

A tropical depression that has weakenedinto a low pressure area brought rains to thecentral Visayas islands and Mindanao, themain southern island, according to the gov-ernment weather station.

Cold monsoon winds blowing from thenortheast brought rains to Luzon, the mainnorthern island, where large farming commu-nities have been submerged in mostly waist-deep floods from Typhoon Melor, which hit atthe start of the week.

Areas inundated by Melor have barelyrecovered from floods brought by TyphoonKoppu in October.

“Almost the entire Philippines is experi-encing rains. More floods are possible,” stateweather forecaster Robert Badrina told AFP.

“We expect the rains to peak today. Theweather will start to improve tomorrow,” hesaid.

President Benigno Aquino declared a stateof national calamity to “hasten the rescue,recovery, relief and rehabilitation efforts,”according to h is spokesman, Her minioColoma.

The weather bureau issued a warning ofup to 30 millimetres of rain per hour in thecentral islands of Cebu, Negros and Bohol,while residents were advised to be on alertfor possible evacuation.

The three Visayas is lands, with a com-bined population of 7.4 million people, arehome to major tourism, trading and agricul-tural hubs.

Close to 10,000 people were evacuatedfrom the poor farming region of Caraga inMindanao before the latest storm, locallynamed Onyok, made landfall Friday night,the national disaster agency said.

There were no immediate reports on theeffects of the storm early Saturday. In Luzon,140,000 people displaced by Melor remainedin evacuation centres.

The Philippines, a nation of 100 million, isbattered by an average of 20 typhoon peryear, many of them deadly. In 2013, SuperTyphoon Haiyan wiped out entire fishingcommunities in the central islands, leaving7,350 people dead or missing. —AFP

Death toll climbs as more floods threaten PH

Philippine military says 18 dead in clashes with Abu Sayyaf

MANILA: Heavy fighting between governmentforces and Abu Sayyaf militants in the southernPhilippines has left at least 15 rebels and three sol-diers dead, officials said recently. Maj. Filemon Tan,a regional military spokesman, said the clashesbegan early this week as troops advanced towardan Abu Sayyaf camp in Basilan Island’s Al-Barkatownship. He said the fighting intensified onTuesday and sporadic skirmishes were continuingWednesday. At least seven militants and 13 soldiersalso were wounded, with most of the governmentcasualties hit by Abu Sayyaf snipers, he added.

Tan said troops were advancing slowly becauseof the snipers and have yet to capture the camp. “Ifwe become careless in our advance, we will havemany fatalities,” he said, adding that the camp is in amountainous area and cannot be easily reached byarmored vehicles. He said the number of dead mili-tants was based on accounts from engaged troops.The bodies were not recovered because they weredragged away by their comrades, he added. —AP

PAMPANGA: Vendors eat their lunch at a flooded market in Candaba, Pampanga, north of Manila on Friday. Vast swathes of farm-lands inundated by Typhoon Koppu in October were flooded again this week by rains from Typhoon Melor and the flooding couldworsen or spread to other areas as a second storm in less than a week threatens the country. —AFP

6 crew missing after Danish cargo ship sinks near Indonesia

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015 2

KUWAIT: Selected Filipino staff of Radisson BluHotel reaped grand prize with their culturalpresentation of five different native tapsdanced to tourism video clip “Piliin mo angPilipinas” (Chose Philippines) after competingwith other cultural dances presented by thehotel staff from other Asian and Eastern Europe

countries. The event was held in celebration ofthe hotel’s annual staff dinner held at HusseinMarafie Grand Ballroom of the hotel. The annu-al event kicked off with the brief speech ofPhilippe Pellaud, General Manager of the hotelhighlighted the accomplishments and recentdevelopments in the premises. He thanked

everyone for the support and hard work con-tributed by the staff to ensure that the hotelservices rendered to its clients are of highestcaliber. The team from Philippines took homethe grand prize with a neo classic fusion of tra-ditional dances and promoting its tourismindustry via video music “I Choose Philippines”.

The panel of judges was spearheaded by thewife of the General Manager Mrs. Ida Pellaud.“It’s all a product of constant rehearsals afterwork, inspiration we draw from the song andpride of being Filipinos” commentedChoreographer Chris Balingit. Dances featuredwere Bulaklakan, Ti Silaw, Singkil and Carinosa.

‘I choose Philippines’ bags grand prize

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015 3KUWAIT: Kasama sina RoyRutagines, Avelino Domingo,Jhane Garcia, Filipe Lobarbio,Arlene Frak at Beljore Camello samga huling sumubok upangmakumpleto na ang 11 finalistspara sa inaabangang PinoyArabia FM ‘Sing Galing Karoling’,finals na magaganap sa ika-24ng Disyembre, sa mismongPinoy Arabia station (MarinaMall). Nauna nang napasama saunang linggo ng qualifyingrounds sina Rachelle Ancheta,Jeffy Cambel, Roy Laguda,Jeffrey King and CharlesMonaco. Isang masayang sele-brasyon ang inaasahan saHuwebes mula 7am-9am saMarina Mall Food court, kungsaan mayroon ding maliit nasalu-salu at awards ceremony.

Pinoy Arabia FM ‘Sing Galing karoling’ finals sa Huwebes na!

‘Aldub Nation-Kuwait Chapter’ gathers to celebrate Christmas

KUWAIT: The Aldub Nation-Kuwait Chapter (hails from the combined names of Yaya Dub (Maine Mendoza) andAlden Richards), the phenomenal love-team of Eat Bulaga Kalyeserye on GMA Pinoy TV, celebrated Christmas par-ty recently. The group celebrated Christmas party with their friends and families with parlor games, gifts andsumptuous on the side.

Happy Dedication Day to Baby Jyll. For I know theplans I have for you’ declare the Lord, plans to pros-per you and not to harm you, plans to give youhope and a future. Greetings from dad, mom, fami-ly and friends especially from Lolo Randy and LolaVangie Gernale!

Greetings

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015 4

By Bong Pagutayao

KUWAIT: Filipinos in Kuwait started visitingchurches early morning (5am) to attend andbe with their families, friends during itsfamous traditional dawn masses ‘SimbangGabi’ (Filipino for ‘Night Mass’) which started

December 16 and will continue untilDecember 25.

Dawn Masses in Kuwait is being celebrateddaily (for nine days) in the churches of SaintTherese Parish Church (Salmiya), Our Lady ofArabia (Ahmadi) and Holy Family Cathedral inKuwait City. Dawn mass is a devotional nine-

day series of Masses practiced by RomanCatholics in anticipation of Christmas Day(December 25).

On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, theservice is instead called Misa de Gallo(Spanish for ‘Rooster’s Mass’) dedicated toeveryone, which ultimately unites old friends

and family members. The Dawn Mass in theeve of Christmas is usually followed by asumptuous dinner with families and friendsand shared gifts and goodwill to everyone.This cherished Christmas custom eventuallybecame a distinct feature of Philippine cultureand became a symbol of loving and caring.

‘Simbang Gabi’ reunites old friends, families

—Photos by Bong Pagutayao

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015 6

KUWAIT: Kuwait Filipino Badminton (KFB) 4th One- day tour-nament entitled “CHRI-SMASH 2015” was held recently withplayers from different Badminton Associations/organizationsin Kuwait. Advance Open and Intermediate Open categoryplayers showcased their skills to get the most coveted spot,swooshing shuttle filled the cold air as both side tried so hardto return it back with their most defensive skills.

Here’s the list of winners: A. Advance Open Category: Champion - Nanang Reska and

Anto SantikoRunner-up - Bibin Mathew and Philip John

B. Intermediate Open Category: Champion - Philip Tomaleand Gerry Punzalan

Runner-up - Joms and Jeannette TantiangcoC. Novice 1 Category: Champion - Chelluri Kundana and

Ram DineshRunner-up - Gigi Imperialde and Ainur JubailD. Novice 2 Category: Champion - Romeo Trillanes and

Neilbert AgdanRunner-up - Nasser Jamsuri and James BautistaE. Novice 3 Category: Champion - Rizalina Lopez and Glen

CatralRunner-up - Rami Khaled and Josie Tanco

Champions received cash prize and a trophy plus aChampions Jacket, courtesy of Golazzo, while the runner-upsreceived cash prize and a trophy. Other participants who reachthe Semi-finals awarded with medals.

KFB officials were grateful for the support, encouragementand generosity of the following sponsors who took a part tomake the event possible, namely Faraj Ashkanani Office, AliCafe and Golazzo.

KFB will resume its regular tournament after the holidayseason, it will called “Faraj Ashkanani Office Cup”. Those whoare interested to join can send messages at KFB Facebookpage or call the hotline number 69615976 for reservations.

Kuwait Filipino Badminton ‘ChriSMASH 2015’ tourney kicks off

By Ricardo Dalisay

KUWAIT: The three teams vying for the last spot of the“Magic 8” won their respective matches but the cream of thecrop, the Original Pin Killers team prevailed after ThunderDragons went puff in the last two games of the PhilippineBowling Association in Kuwait 3rd Season TeamTournament’s final elimination round held at COZMOBowling Center in Kheifan. Despite UAE Exchange loss toNUSANTARA still they move higher from fifth to third place;COZMO won the game but with their low score slide fromthird to fourth position same with SMAC’Z who played byedown from fourth to fifth place while Thunder Dragons andSwooping Eagles remain in their current spot. The last seatwon by Original Pin Killers with an advantage of 181 pinsover NUSANTARA and 207 points difference from LEAF whowere placed ninth and tenth respectively.

Despite NUSANTARA’s win over favored team UAEExchange 2933-2869, the gained points fell short and justlanded on the ninth place. In the first game of the 3-gameseries, the highly energized NUSANTARA outscored the 4-man team of the UAE Exchange who seemed unaffected937-854. In the last two games the Exchange Kingoutscored the Indonesian team when it completed its lineupwith the scores of 993-983/972-963 but not enough tosnatch the win points. NUSANTARA 5-man team wereAhmed Fahmi (574), Laras Nitikusumo (547), Saleh Al Faraj(526), Abel Nitikusumo (500) and Benyamin Yasan (442)while UAE Exchange top scorer was Abdulaziz Al Aslawi(674), Rudy de Lima (565), Rani Skeik (539), Freddie Santos(498) and Myra Manalo (365) who just played two games.

Having the edge over the two contenders and the will toduplicate their second season momentous fate, LEAF wipedout the Mangaf Strikers in their 3-game match up 901-871/901-806/ 880-803 (2707-2480). But LEAF achievement thisseason until the last week was not so impressive due to fourwins and 8 loses record and below par performance of the5-man team. LEAF bowlers with their scores were MarjorieMercado (509), Blanca Sambajon (503), Rocky Castil (481),Cris Carungay (478) and Joe Presenta (447) while MangafStrikers were Roque Gamba (477), Ceddie Martin Faa (451),Jun Janoras, Robert Opena, Adolfo Prena, Leila Cervantes,

Medz Nicdao, Pinky Pardillo and Ron Fabor. All eyes during the final week of the elimination was

focused on the encounter between Original Pin Killers andthe rated team Thunder Dragons. Although the Dragonswere in a safer place inside the elite group still their aim is toeliminate the Pin Killers because it will be one of the biggestthreat once this team join the Final 8. In the first game, thefielding of bowlers was balance utilizing both their twomens’ Class A and it was a nerve breaking game betweenthe two opposing team when the result came out with justtwo pins difference (920-918) in favor of the Dragons. It wasa thrilling finish for the Pin Killers when Kingpin Melanconmounted a huge fight back when he scored 258 in the sec-

ond game and the score was 945-867. The campaign of theOriginal Pin Killers continued until the third game and GregMelancon duplicated his 258 points while the Dragons lostits firepower and bowed to 992-852 result and the finalscore was 2901-2664. As usual the Kingpin was the highestscorer 726, followed by Ishaq Al Waahid (521), Alma Turley(481), Aris de Guzman, Rashid Aker Ali and Chris Bush, whilethe Dragons was led by its prolific scorer Bamilo Baker lll(653), Mandy Manalo (459), Agnes Noble (475), Joel Tizon,Mar Evangelista, Eddie Pena and Moises Amahan. The strug-gle of Original Pin Killer from eight week paid off and the

finalists must ‘watch out’ for this latecomer. Other matches which were considered no more bearing

except of changes in team standing: Asian Air Safari was sur-prised by the chancery strikers with their complete lineupand outscored in the first game 826-786 but gave up in thelast two games with total score of 2804-2468; also cellardweller Kuwait Stars stunned the Swooping Eagles in thethird game when the 3-man team scored above averagesand the final score was 2371-2693 in favor of the Eagles;Scavengers won the first and third games but COZMO whowon the second game snatched the win points and the totalscore was 2775-2697 and finally the SMAC’Z team whoplayed bye scored 2773.

Meanwhile, in the individual best, changes are as follows:Individual High Game only in Ladies B Laras Nitikusumosnatched from Fer Ferrer (224-204) while in Individual HighAverage, Mens’ C Ahmed Fahmi grabbed from Ali Hikmat(164.56-162.17) and Ladies B -Neng Cervantes regained fromAlma Turley (166.00-165.78).

For Individual High scores:Category Name Individual High Name Individual High

Game AverageMen’s A Fahad Abul 288 Glen Corbit 211.57Men’s B Nasser Hajras 279 Nasser Hajras 197.02 Men’s C Kevin Andaya 221 Ahmad Fahmi 164.56Ladies A Marjorie Mercado 246 Hanadi Mezail 180.91Ladies B Laras Nitikusumo 224 Neng Cervantes 166.00 Team High Game (Scratch) - COZMO (1030)Team High Series (Scratch + Handicap) - COZMO (2989) Team Weekly High Series : Week 1 - SMAC’Z - 2821 Week 6 - Swooping Eagles - 2849 Week 2 - UAE Exchange - 2787 Week 7 - Asian Air Safari - 2796Week 3 - Scavengers - 2936 Week 8 - UAE exchange - 2847 Week 4 - SMAC’Z - 2682 Week 9 - Thunder Dragons - 2823Week 5 - Scavengers - 2864 Week 10 - Scavengers - 2922 Week 11 - Asian Air Safari - 2910 Week 12 - UAE Exchange - 2915 Week 13 - Nusantara - 2883Elimination Final Standing: 1. Scavengers (36491); 2. Asian Air Safari(36356.5); 3. UAE Exchange (36264.5); 4. COZMO (36209); 5. SMAC’Z (36170);6. Thunder Dragons (35807.5); 7. Swooping Eagles (35229); 8. Original PinKillers (34996); 9. NUSANTARA (34815); 10. LEAF (34789); 11. Mangaf Strikers(32357); 12. Philippine Embassy Strikers (31778.5) and 13. Kuwait Stars(31774).

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015 7

“Magic 8”: Original Pin Killers prevails, LEAF, Nusantara out

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015

Pages 7

“Magic 8”: OriginalPin Killers

prevails, LEAF,Nusantara out

KUWAIT: The Filipino Badminton Committee (FBC) celebratedChristmas with a Family day at the Kuwait Disabled Sports Club lastFriday. The day started with its regular badminton tournament and fol-lowed with numerous parlor games and raffle.

FBC President Jimmy Carandang in his opening remarks said “ FBC isnot inly about badminton, but a family that plays together to enhance

camaraderie and share happiness not only during Christmas season”.After the raffle of Prizes donated by Ms.Ana Del Mundo of ADM

Manpower, Jules Francisco, Lita Caballero, Elma Falguerra, LouieLagada and IMCO, FBC Chairman Dr. Chie Umandap congratulated all itsofficers for the successful celebrations of Christmas Family Day. FBC VicePresident Engr. Louie Laguda is inviting all badminton enthusiast to join

its Christmas One Day Tournament for a Cause on December 25 atKuwait Disabled Spirts Club, Bin Khaldoun, Hawalli. Part of the proceedswill be donated for the hospitalization expenses of the father of one ofFBC Officer. Participants are requested to register by calling the FBCHotline 66420529or personally appear on December 25 at 8:00 AM atKuwait Disabled Sports Club, Bin KhaldounHawalli.

FBC Christmas One Day Tournament for a Cause on December 25