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Return to: Home > News > Ruihua leaves RSM to become exclusive Crowe member
Ruihua leaves RSM to become exclusive Crowe member
Ruihua CPAs, the Chinese joint member of RSM and Crowe has become the exclusive member of Crowe, leaving RSM without a Chinese firm.
The firm was the result of a merger between RSM China and Crowe Horwath China in 2013. At the time, it had 344 partners, 2,600 staff and annual revenues of about CNY2.8bn (then worth $475m).
In a highly unusual turn of events, the firm requested, and was granted, join membership of both RSM and Crowe.
Perhaps as an effort to shore up support, at the start of 2015 Ruihua principle partner Yang Jiantao was appointed as co-chairman of the network, a position he continues to hold. Zhang Lianqi, management committee member of Ruihua CPAs and member of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), was elected to the Crowe Global board in 2017.
Following the move to become an exclusive member of Crowe, Crowe Global will establish a China Marketing Centre in Beijing. The Centre will work with global CEO, David Mellor, and Ruihua CPAs to establish greater opportunities for Crowe member firms to provide high quality assurance and advisory services to Chinese enterprises investing overseas.
Although it was one firm, it remained able to split its fees between RSM and Crowe for the purposes of the IAB country rankings. In the most recent IAB China survey Crowe were ranked 9th by fee revenue and RSM 14th. If all of RSM's Chinese fees were combined with Crowe's, this would lift Crowe Global to 2nd in the table, behind PwC.
Jiantao said: "We thank our clients for their consistent trust and support of Ruihua. As a fresh start for both Ruihua and Crowe, we shall leverage our strengths and capabilities worldwide to better serve them and help them achieve sustainable and healthy development."
Mellor said: "I believe in the importance of China and Chinese businesses to the future of the global economy. The exclusive membership of Ruihua CPAs in the Crowe network is a great achievement which will provide lasting value to our members. We have worked hard to build strong relationships with the Chinese firm since it joined our network over nine years ago. This commitment has proven to be an asset when servicing multinational clients. This move unifies our existing strengths and capabilities and enables the network to further develop its presence in the region."
Speaking to IAB Mellor said: "I do not believe that having Ruihua join us 100% will change the strategic direction of this network but I would argue the strategic direction of this network was set with an understanding of the demand for a firm like Ruihua would bring to the table. We're committed to cross border business and servicing the cross border business needs of our clients.
"We are committed to developing our people in all of our member firms and we are committed to developing the service we provide to the communities in which we work. Those three commitments I do not think will change simply because Ruihua is large."
Mellor said the decision was made independently by Ruihua and that Crowe was not involved in their decision making process. He did comment however that Crowe were aware that Ruihua wanted to make a choice between the two networks.
Mellor said that he has not lingered on the reason why Ruihua decided to choose Crowe, though he said: "What I would like to think was part of their decision making process, but I do not know, I think we have always stressed the importance of china to our strategy. I think we have always made effort with the regulators and the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) to demonstrate the importance of not just inbound business into China but outbound business from China.
"From a personal perspective I think if I was in China, how I service my clients' needs as they go abroad would probably be a factor that would make my decision if I was one of their partners. But I honestly don't know, I suspect it has not been an easy decision for them."
RSM said that it has been planning for this change and does not expect any disruption to client services.
RSM's global CEO Jean Stephens commented "China is an important region for internationally ambitious middle market businesses that RSM serves. We are in advanced discussions with a potential new member firm that will meet our clients' needs and share our global values.
"Our clients in the region will continue to receive the highest quality service, supported by an ongoing office in China and member firms in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. We are excited about the ample opportunities the market presents and look forward to our next stage of our growth in China and the broader Asia Pacific region."
Nigeria: building compliance and engagement
Opportunities created by regulatory and legislative changes in Nigeria are tempered by the fragile state of the economy, although practitioners are generally confident that conditions will improve over the next few years if appropriate steps are taken. Paul Golden reports.
Ghana: a quest for consistency
Ghana's current economic profile would suggest a fertile landscape for purveyors of accounting services. But inconsistent approaches to compliance and application of standards – coupled with problems in the banking sector and consequent liquidity constraints – have created a challenging environment. Paul Golden writes.
Drone technology: audit takes to the skies
The movement towards a digitised era has already impacted the auditing profession in a number of ways, from blockchain to artificial intelligence. Now firms are taking to sky and using drone technology in their audits. Mishelle Thurai speaks to Big Four firms to find out more.
SBC: a new alliance joins the market
Jonathan Minter speaks to Paul Tutin, chair of founding firm Streets Chartered Accountants, about why the business and its European partners took the decision to launch their own association.
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text:
#pragma once

#include <algorithm>
#include <fstream>
#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

#include <json.hpp>

#include "graph_node.h"

namespace vkb
{
namespace graphing
{
struct Edge
{
	size_t         id;
	size_t         from;
	size_t         to;
	nlohmann::json options;
	Edge(size_t id_, size_t s, size_t t) :
	    id(id_),
	    from(s),
	    to(t){};
};

/**
 * @brief Graph is an implementation of an adjacency list graph. The nodes are created from a variadic function and their implementation is defined by the given NodeType
 *
 * @tparam NodeType either FrameworkNode or SceneNode
 */
class Graph
{
  public:
	Graph(const char *name);

	static const size_t node_not_found = 0;

	/**
	 * @brief Create a new style
	 *
	 * @param style_name the group name
	 * @param color the hex color of the group
	 */
	void new_style(std::string style_name, std::string color);

	/**
	 * @brief Create a node object
	 *
	 * @param title of node
	 * @param style corresponds to the key used when using new_type(style, color)
	 * @param data json data to be displayed with node
	 * @return size_t id of node
	 */
	size_t create_node(const char *title = "Node", const char *style = NULL, const nlohmann::json &data = {})
	{
		size_t id = new_id();
		nodes[id] = std::make_unique<Node>(id, title, style, data);
		return id;
	}

	/**
	 * @brief Find a node from a reference
	 * 		  If the node does not exist then the reference will be node_not_found
	 *
	 * @param name of node
	 * @return size_t if of node
	 */
	size_t find_ref(std::string &name);

	/**
	 * @brief Add a readable reference to a node
	 *
	 * @param name of reference
	 * @param id of node
	 */
	void add_ref(std::string &name, size_t id);

	/**
	 * @brief Remove a readable reference to a node
	 *
	 * @param name of ref
	 */
	void remove_ref(std::string &name);

	/**
	 * @brief Add an edge to the graph
	 * @param from source node
	 * @param to target node
	 */
	void add_edge(size_t from, size_t to);

	/**
	 * @brief Remove Edge from the graph
	 * @param from source node
	 * @param to target node
	 */
	void remove_edge(size_t from, size_t to);

	/**
	 * @brief Dump the graphs state to json in the given file name
	 * @param file_name to dump to
	 */
	bool dump_to_file(std::string file_name);

	size_t new_id();

  private:
	size_t                                            next_id = 1;
	std::vector<Edge>                                 adj;
	std::unordered_map<size_t, std::unique_ptr<Node>> nodes;
	std::unordered_map<std::string, size_t>           refs;
	std::string                                       name;
	std::unordered_map<std::string, std::string>      style_colors;
};
}        // namespace graphing
}        // namespace vkb

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Kawasaki is known for some iconic bikes. Starting from the B8125, launched in 1962, to bikes such as Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R to its latest blockbuster, the Z1000, Kawasaki has a long history of creating good bikes. The Kawasaki Z800 is one of the latest entrants to this list.
The Z800 belongs to a new breed of bikes called 'naked bikes'. The bike was first launched in Europe in 2013, as a replacement for the widely popular Z750. The bike may not be very well-known in the UK, but it is one of the largest selling bikes in Europe, selling more than 6200 units in 2015. The Z800 has been positioned as a competitor to Yamaha's popular FZ-09.
The Kawasaki Z800 has an engine which is an upgraded version of the engine on the Z750. The bike does pick up speed once you are on the road. But we have to say this for the pickup- the bike feels lazy and subdued in the beginning. The engine wakes up somewhere between 5000-6000 rpm. By the time it reaches 8000 rpm, the bike is positively roaring. This is not all- you can take the bike all the way up to 12,200 rpm.
We can see that Kawasaki built the Z800 for the street. You can glean this much by analyzing the bike's suspension. Kawasaki has installed a KYB inverted fork on the front tire and a single shock on the rear tire.
Here, we have to say, we were skeptical at first about the suspension. When you look at it for the first time, you may think Kawasaki has cut corners there. But once you get on the road and you see how well the suspension works, your doubts will be dispelled.
True to the 'naked bike' niche to which the Kawasaki Z800 belongs, Kawasaki has kept the bike, bare bones on the technology front. The Kawasaki Z800 has a fuel injection system and ABS but they are not of the fancy sort you will find on some other sports bikes.
There is no traction control, throttle by wire or rider modes. The dashboard is also very simple. It tells you only what you have time to notice when you are riding at 70mph and nothing else.
The bike weighs at 510 pounds but it feels much lighter than that, thanks to its excellent weight distribution. On the tire front, Kawasaki has partnered with Dunlop, which has lent its Sportmax D124 tires to the K800. The tires warm up quickly and give excellent grip in different situations.
The bike has a seat height of 32.8 inches. This, coupled with the bike's ergonomics gives taller riders an edge over shorter riders. However, the seat is nothing to rave about. It is quite average. We also noticed the handle bars are low rung but they don't tire your hand. The engine is quite powerful and delivers once the bike gets going. Braking is good and predictable.
We think the Z800 is a solid bike but without the frills you see on other sports bike. In this, it manages to remain true to its 'naked bike' image. For sure, if you buy this bike, you are going to have a short learning curve. The controls on the bike are basic and simple. So if you are looking for a value for money sports bike, the Kawasaki Z800 is a good bike. But if you are looking for power, the FZ-09 will probably be a better buy.


I made cakes and cheesecakes for yeeeeears before attempting pie crust. It frightened me so. It was the opposite of me: precise, tidy, exact. The mom of a good friend of mine (who actually became my cousin's wife) used to make pies by the dozens. So, I asked her for some tips.
She told me to take a day and dedicate it to learning. It was Autumn in Ontario, so she recommended that I get a bushel of apples and then I would just have to use them. "Make sure your utensils are cold and dry. Don't touch the pastry, it doesn't like the warmth of your hands. And don't be sad when the first few you try fail miserably." She provided tip after tip after tip.
So I did as I was told. I brought my apples home and there they sat, taunting me. "Don't waste us"! they screamed. I started early in the day and boy oh boy did those first few fail miserably. As I tossed at least three crusts out, I began to lose heart. Then I was reminded of the words of my pie-making mom friend: "don't give up, you'll find your groove". Sigh. I soldiered on.
If I have too much overhang, I cut around the outside edges to make it more even, more or less a half inch over. That makes the crust more uniform which means there are no dry, overcooked spots; every bite is delectable.
After a day of staying at home and making crust after crust, I had made 11 apple pies! Off they went into the freezer. What a great feeling that was!
While I have changed pie crust recipes a few times over the years, this is now the one that I use without fail, sweet or savory. It won't disappoint.
Mix flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl and whisk to combine. Add shortening and butter and cut in with a pastry cutter. Cut in fats until the mixture looks the size of peas. Add ice water and combine only enough to moisten the dough and have it come together. Turn onto floured surface and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Can be frozen up to 3 months.
is there any substitute of vegetable shortening if it is not available?
There are many crust recipes with just butter , perhaps that is better suited for you. They're lovely also.


text:
Girl Who Lived Twice
The sixth in the Millennium series featuring THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO - more than 100 million copies sold worldwide.
The next episode in David Lagercrantz's acclaimed continuation of Stieg Larsson's Dragon Tattoo series is a thrilling ride that scales the heights of Everest and plunges the depths of Russia's criminal underworld. In a climax of shattering violence, Lisbeth Salander will face her nemesis. For the girl with the dragon tattoo, the personal is always political - and ultimately deadly
Retail Price€17.62
ISBN/EAN9780857056375
Publisher: Quercus
Author: LAGERCRANTZ DAVID
Format: Trade PB
"What are you going to do now?"
"I will be the hunter and not the hunted."
Lisbeth Salander's mentor and protector Holger Palmgren is dead, and she has been gone from Stockholm since his funeral. All summer, Mikael Blomkvist has been plagued by the fear that Salander's enemies will come after her.
He should, perhaps, be more concerned for himself.
In the pocket of an unidentified homeless man, who died with the name of a Swedish government minister on his lips, the police find a list of telephone numbers. Among them, the contact for Millennium magazine and the investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Following the scorched trail of her twin sister Camilla to Moscow, Salander nevertheless continues to watch over her old friend. Soon Blomkvist will need her help. But first, she has an old score to settle; and fresh outrage to avenge.
You'd Be Filled With Wonder - Story of Dun Laoghaire Harbour
Dun Laoghaire Harbour was built 200 years ago, the marvel of it's time. It is many stories, those of shipwrecks, forgotten heroes, prison ships, German torpedoes and an entertainment palace by the sea. Above all it is a very human story of poverty, hardship and true determination. It will fill you with wonder to read them. Our Price: : €9.00
Hometruths
How far would you go to keep your family safe?
The new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author, Susan Lewis. Our Price: : €13.99
The gritty new thriller from the Queen of Crime Drama and the fifth book in the Sunday Times bestselling Jane Tennison series. Jane Tennison has worked hard to become the first female detective ever post to the infamous Flying Squad, or 'the Sweeney'. But the Dirty Dozen is a notorious boys' club, and Jane's new colleagues make it clear that they don't think a woman is up to the dangers of the job. Our Price: : €12.99
A gripping stand-alone novel from the world's bestselling thriller writer.
Ex-Boston homicide detective Billy Robinson has retreated to a quiet life on the New England coast. Struggling to cope following the death of his beloved wife, he must now run the inn that Siobhan took care of so well. Our Price: : €11.99
Second Sleep
1468. A young priest, Christopher Fairfax, arrives in a remote Exmoor village to conduct the funeral of his predecessor. The land around is strewn with ancient artefacts – coins, fragments of glass, human bones – which the old parson used to collect. Did his obsession with the past lead to his death? Our Price: : €12.99

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
"cattle herding"
My Bohol Tour
Posted on October 5, 2017 by psssadmin
When I went to Cebu last time I resolved I will also go to Bohol and do a tour, a real tour which means going around and not just going to some tourist spot (which I don't do as I have no taste for that as I am old school in that I really want to go around). It was not just for ship spotting but also for buses as I needed to replenish my stock of Bohol bus photos which was already depleted. And for another reason, I wanted to see Bohol again after two years to update myself, see how its recovery from its earthquake went.
My planned entry was via Tubigon on an early morning trip on the cheap Lite Ferries ship as that is a good platform for ship spotting and spacious too (for ship spotting I don't have a taste for High Speed Crafts as the view it affords is limited). However, on the morning I was due to depart the queue was long (wished I purchased the ticket the day before but their ticketing office outside Pier 1 always had a line). They also had no separate window for senior citizens and for the disabled (is that a violation of any law?). When I was already nearing the window the guard announced the closing of the ticketing since we wouldn't make the 7am departure of the ferry. And that is one bad effect of the "cattle herding" of the Cebu Port Authority (and by PPA for that are ISPS) forcing passengers to use the passenger terminal and the X-ray machines when in earlier days one goes direct to the ship especially when time is running out (and just be ticketed aboard the ship). The guard announced they have a 12:30pm departure but I wonder who is the crazy passenger that will wait for that when it is just 7am.
I mulled my alternatives. It was not to be Star Crafts on the opposite side of the road. A fastcraft with its low windows dirtied by sea water splash is never good for ship spotting and one can't anticipate a ship coming by. If it has an open-air accommodation it isn't as comfortable as that missed Lite Ferry and besides it will be noisy. Wanting to make up for lost time since I will still be touring I decided on the FastCat in Pier 3 although I know it will cost more and I have to walk the distance.
And that is where my bad experience with FastCat began. There was a line of apprentices in the ticket window and they said there was no more ticket for Premium Economy (which is the Tourist class) and Economy which is the open-air accommodation at the upper deck. And so I took the Business Class since there are no other ship alternatives left that leaves in the early morning for Tubigon.
I will then get ahead of the story. When the vessel departed I found out and so did other passengers forced to take the Business Class that there were still a lot of vacant seats in Economy and Premium Economy. We then knew we were scammed. I then asked one of the personnel attending to the passengers and the flippant reply was they know nothing about the booking. Huh! Is that all? I thought they had better training now but this is straight from the book of the old-style ferries whose favorite trick is handwashing. I told her straight into her face that it was scamming and bad for them since Archipelago Philippine Ferries, their company is beginning to make inroads in covering its unsavory reputation from its bad Maharlika ships of the recent past.
Then a second incident happened which made us Business Class passengers feel scammed again – there was no free snacks. Actually, the seats and accommodation of the premium Economy and the Business Class are the same. The former even have the advantage that its farther seats are by twos only and the canteen is located right there. Plus its air conditioning is stronger because the Business Class front is a door to the storage room covered with only a curtain and cold air is lost there.
I asked a steward why there is no free snacks when it is the only feature that can justify the higher fare when Business Class which is not superior in any way to Premium Economy (what a way to degrade the name of the Tourist class!). He said they have long ago requisitioned for supplies but it seemed management thinks passenger ridership to Tubigon is like the Bulalacao-Caticlan route (aha! so that route is weak in passengers?).
I told the steward that in this age of the internet and smartphone that excuse will not fly. So what is the use of computers and unlimited calls over the smartphone? So they cannot monitor? And management needs months to adjust? I told him that was a very lousy excuse and if that is true then that reflects badly on management. Maybe the owner Christopher Pastrana and his wife should better attend to things like these rather than bragging too much in media and in their own video. I told the steward that it seems FastCat is already sliding to their lowly Maharlika standard and everybody knows how lousy their Maharlika ships were (well, except for Archipelago Philippine Ferries employees which seem to have convenient amnesia).
I got many ship pics alright since a route from Pier 3 is better than a route to the south compared to from Pier 1 since up to Pier 4 can be covered well unlike in the Lite Ferry originating in Pier 1 that can only cover the Cokaliong ships. Then in the Talisay anchorage I was able to capture more ships. And there I took a rest and did not gamble anymore on chance encounters as I have a long day ahead. However, I was lucky to notice the coming Anika Gayle 2 of Aleson Shipping and I also caught her on cam.
The promised one-and-a-half hour cruising time of FastCat M11 did not materialize. Our trip lasted nearly two hours and to make it worse we left Cebu late because they had difficulty in loading an empty truck because FastCat can't ballast (so much for their ads that the ship does not have ballast water). Since the tide was high the underside of the truck was scraping the port. So I did not gain any time by riding FastCat. It seems they are saving on fuel and was no longer running at 100% speed (is this the start of their run that will just manage to outspeed a little their competitor Lite Ferries?)
In Tubigon port there was already the missed Lite Ferry and Star Crafts 6 when we arrived. I did not linger long in port and immediately took a pedicab (it is better than a cramped tricycle albeit slower of course). I then took a nearly empty commuter van bound for Talibon (well, I was glad the driver was true to his announced ETD and did not regret taking the van) and I got off in Inabanga and made a short tour of it. I found out everything was completely normal as if no fighting occurred within its territory. There was no suspicious looks nor questions and I was surprised by that (good its people are not "praning" and its officials not over-reactive unlike in Cebu South Bus Terminal which is under the Provincial Capitol). And so I thought the heightened security I saw in other parts of the country are just "arte" or overreaction including the Capitol of Cebu which has barriers and questioning guards already (but go by its back entrance and anybody can enter without question). And to think Cebu City has no serious incidents yet. I wonder what will be their reaction when they have one (but I know Mayor Tommy Osmena is not "praning" as one can easily access the 8th floor of his City Hall where his office is located, take photos of ships from there and not once was I questioned what I was doing).
From Inabanga I then took a commuter van to Tagbilaran and upon reaching Tubigon we were transferred to another van that is already more full. I welcomed it rather than waiting for passengers and losing more time. I was right in the choice of the ride as the van proved faster because we were overtaking buses. Of course I was enjoying the views that were always changing. Much better than being cocooned in some beach resort that is not free anyway.
I then made a fast check of the Dao integrated terminal of Tagbilaran while taking quick shots of buses. I asked the ride to Loboc and they pointed to me the converted Canter (into a jeep equivalent) parked by the market just outside the terminal. While waiting for it to depart (it was nearly full already) I asked permission to take more shots of buses and I darted inside the terminal.
When I returned after ten minutes as I promised I found out that they positioned three short benches in the middle of the Canter (and so I understood why it was wider) for eight more passengers. I counted the capacity. 35 sitting passengers not including five others clinging at the rear or "sabit". I thought not a bad replacement for a minibus. And I have to thank the lady student who exchanged her better seat than my uncomfortable one.
The route of the Canter was Tagbilaran-Sikatuna-Loboc, a different route from the Loay route which me and Vinz Sanchez (a PSSS Moderator from Bohol) took when he toured me the whole coastal roads of Bohol a few years ago, a favor I still cherish. Sikatuna is a town by the hills of Bohol and so what we passed looked like a mountain road. I was glad I saw different vistas. It seemed to me the people, my co-passengers, were friendlier too. It rained very hard however after Sikatuna town until we reached Loboc. The fare looked cheap to me. P25 for what seems to be 29 kilometers (and so when did the LTFRB which only listens to big operators but not the people learned how to set correct fares?).
The Loboc tour boats
My tour and shots of Loboc were forgettable. The rain did not abate and there was no banca ride to Loay (they say I should have taken it by the Loay bridge which I visited before with Vinz). With such rain I was not interested to take the boat tour upriver with its native banquet food (I did not go to Loboc to partake food).
I went to the town where a I found a nice eatery, the biggest in the town where there was a wide selection. I found out that the food prices were very moderate and the owner friendly. I was tempted to enter it because I saw foreigners eating there (and so I thought there must be a reason for that). It was there when the rain subsided a little. Over-all it was a lousy tour of Loboc but I saw the restoration work of their church that was heavily damaged by the quake was already underway. In Loboc nearly a lot of the tourists were foreigners.
A commuter van arrived and enticed me again. I took it to Tagbilaran. I did not try to go anymore to Carmen, the site of the Chocolate Hills because I do not want to be disappointed again by the rain and there might not be enough time already (but a motorcycle driver was offering me a private ride). I thought maybe it was not my day. And it was there that I realized my mistake. From Inabanga I should have gone straight to Carmen via Sagbayan. It happened I was not that sure though how fast the ride there will be and it also happened Chocolate Hills was not on the top of my priority being just a simple tourist spot to me (in Loboc at least there are bancas).
With an early arrival back in Tagbilaran I had time to take more photos of buses in the terminal. I noticed that compared to two years ago the remaining rivals of the dominant Southern Star bus have essentially re-fleeted and some have air-conditioned units already. I thought that was good and it seems they will not be simply swept away or gobbled by the giant yellow bus company like what I feared before.
I next made a round of the Island City Mall which is conveniently near the Dao terminal. I planned to take dinner there before I proceed to Tagbilaran port to take the 10pm Lite Ferry ship back to Cebu. In the said mall there was a trade fair in the upper floor and that for me somehow made up the failure in Loboc as I enjoy seeing the displayed products of so many places as it gives me a glimpse of what their place is (and later google the Net for more information about them). I also took note of the places where the PSSS (Philippine Ship Spotters Society) group made tambay when we attended the wedding of Vinz Sanchez in Panglao.
I arrived in Tagbilaran port at 7:30pm only to found out there were no more tickets available in whatever class of the Lite Ferries ship (and it seems I have bad luck with this shipping company). I waited a little since a few years back our PSSS group that attended the Tagbilaran fiesta was able to still board as chance passengers and we were even five then, a relatively big group. But this time instead of being encouraging the Lite Ferries ticketing office suddenly closed. I was marooned as I was told the last trip of the bus to Tubigon was 8pm (there is still a midnight ferry there to Cebu and Mandaue). I suddenly remembered the fate of the PSSS group three years ago during Vinz's wedding when they slept in Dao terminal.
I then pulled my way into Harborview Inn which has a commanding view of the port right outside the port gates and no more sleeping in the terminal as I was thinking of another day's tour if I can't go home. It was not cheap if going by its age. The greater negative was the noise and vibration of the trucks going in and out of the port. But the big plus is it has a view of the ships in Tagbilaran port. As an ISPS port there was no chance for me to go inside the port if I am not a passenger and Tagbilaran will no longer be my exit later in the day.
The next morning, after taking shots of Tagbilaran port I walked to the mall near the old bus terminal and partook breakfast there. It was near the place where we took a taxi to Loon when Aris Refugio, a PSSS Moderator will be having a short vacation in Sandingan island in her sister's place (it was a nice place with a commanding view of the sea). I was able to take photos of the buses inside that minor terminal now and then I made my way back to Dao, the main terminal. There was a cheaper multicab that I found and I an-seminarian as co-passenger who was engaging and helpful.
Upon reaching the terminal another van called offering a cheap fare to Tubigon and a promise of an immediate departure (am I that a magnet for commuter vans in Bohol?). But I declined as I said I needed to take bus photos first for my collection and I was not yet on that direction I actually wanted to stay first in the terminal, get a feel of the possibilities and mull my options (yes, I tend to feel my guts when I am on a trip in a not-so-familiar place and my plans did not fall into place). What I just wanted was a bus going to northern Bohol because the ferries back to Cebu are there. I noticed a bus going to Talibon passing through Carmen (and I know the Chocolate Hills are located over there). I can't resist riding that bus even though I haven't finalized yet where my exit will be (now isn't that touring in the finest sense?). But the bus will pass by Dagohoy town and that to me was another bonus.
Baclayon port and lighthouse
The route was by Baclayon and Loay this time and I was able to get shots of their ports). It was the seaside route and after a junction Loboc came into view again. I was not tempted to get off as I know a route to Talibon will take long knowing how slow are the buses in Bohol (nope, they will never need a GPS-based warning device telling them they are already over the speed limit as buses there don't run over 60kph anyway). And the bus driver quoted 4 hours of travel time but I always assume that is an optimistic estimate.
I was fascinated by the views and landscape right after Loboc. The scenery looks like a forest from there up to Bilar and Batuan, two places I have special interest in. It was an ascending road to the hills of Bohol up to its plateau. Comparing later to Chocolate Hills that world-famous tourist site looked unexciting to me. Just the site of mint-chocolate mounds although admittedly I did not get off then junction leading to its viewing point where there are habal-habals (chartered motorcyle rides) waiting. Later, I realized I could have gotten off there and just take the night ship back to Cebu (and that is the consequence of trip out of plan already). And not having a map or a pocket Wi-Fi also took its toll. But then I was generally tired too (my batteries are not that fast to recharge anymore) and I had wounds to take care of.
The cruising speed of the Southern Star bus was just 50kph even though it is an aircon bus (well, it was good for sightseeing). The passenger load was not high including that of the other buses I saw and to think buses in Bohol does not come one after another. I was even wondering if there were more ship passengers than bus passengers in Bohol (well, the commuter take a big chunk off their load). But at least I found out in Bohol that buses do not have many meal stops like in Cebu and Mindanao.
I was tempted to get off the bus in Trinidad town and head east to Ubay and take the night ship there. I found out that the J&N Ferry ship there to Cebu is very cheap compared to the Tagbilaran ship when the distance of Cebu from Ubay is about the same (now how did that happen?). Now I understand part of the reason why they are still existing. If one is going to Jagna from Cebu to take a ferry there the proper connection is the J&N Ferry to Ubay and not the ferry to Tagbilaran but it seems few realize that. Jagna is roughly equidistant from Ubay and Tagbilaran.
In Talibon I was able to take long-distance shots of the port. I did not go into the port and just felt the atmosphere of the bus terminal and the market (because I was already worrying about the time). I was divided into going to Tubigon (which will afford me daylight ship spotting) or going back to Ubay in order to extend my Bohol tour and visit Ubay again. But I did not have time to mull as the Tubigon bus was already honking. I was just intent on catching the 4:30pm Anika Gayle 2 ferry to Cebu which has a much better ship spotting view than the Star Crafts (there were no Lite Ferries ships in the late afternoon in Tubigon and I do not want to ride the FastCat again).
I asked the driver how long the ride to Tubigon will take. He answered one hour. But then our driver turned out he can just ride his mount at 50kph and so we took nearly 2 hours for the route. We passed by Inabanga again.
But with our slow speed I missed the Anika Gayle 2 and there was a long line in Star Crafts. But I was fortunate the guard pulled me to the senior citizens' window and I was able to get a ticket leapfrogging over a dozen people. Otherwise I would have experienced shut-out again and I would be forced to take the FastCat (horrors!). This time the vessel was fully booked and I was in the very last row of seat near the toilet.
It then happened that I was also very interested in our vessel the Star Crafts 7 (good she was on that schedule) and I already forgot my disappointment in not having made the Anika Gayle 2. The reason is because Star Crafts 7 was the former MS Express of A. Sakaluran in Zamboanga which I have already visited before in Varadero de Recodo, a shipyard in Zamboanga City. I want to see what changed and I want to feel her again.
One big change I noticed is she was already much less comfortable (and much less than Starcrafts 1). Instead of trying to put in some comfort like in Weesam Express now as Star Crafts she is just trying to pack as much people in. I have not seen seats as narrow and uncomfortable in a fastcraft. Fastcrafts are generally more cramped compared to catamarans but I have been to Weesam Express, A. Sakaluran, Oceanjet and the Montenegro Shipping Lines fastcrafts including its small ones and Medium Speed Crafts (MSCs) like the Anika Gayles of Aleson Shipping but all have sufficient level of comfort and space unlike the Star Crafts 7. And another, the good air-conditioning central vents of the MS Express were already gone in Star Crafts 7.
With its fare almost level with FastCat I wonder why Boholanos still patronize them when the like of FastCat is much more superior in terms of accommodations and passenger service (no, this is not a plug for FastCat). The seats of Star Crafts is even narrower and less comfortable than bus seats. With a 4+4 seating, maybe its fares should be much less. Is it time for FastCat to field a second MSC in Tubigon? Or Oceanjet should field one of their fastcrafts? But maybe the franchises of the Lite Jets were not sold to them to preclude competition with them.
The Star Crafts 7 is a full two-deck fastcraft now when it had only one-and-a-half passenger decks as MS Express. We took just over 1 hour for the voyage so that means we were cruising at about 20 knots. Its engines are Yuchai diesels now with a total of 1,850 horsepower, down from her former 3,100-horsepower Mitsubishi diesels, the same powerplant as her rival Sea Jet of Aleson Shipping which is not on the route now and replaced by the Anika Gayle 2 which we overtook before reaching the reef shallows south of Mactan island.
There was no ship spotting whatsoever when I was on board Star Crafts 7. No possibility as there was no open-air accommodation and the doors of fastcrafts are closed when sailing. I was only able to take some shots upon alighting in Cebu Pier 3 but it was already getting dark. Before I disembarked I tried to tour the fastcraft but it was too dour and there is no access to the bridge. I am imagining though that it might not have changed much since I visited her as MS Express.
It was a full two-day visit of Bohol. Nice but tiring too (and I had an accident but that is another thing).
Posted in Adventure, Information, Reports, Travel ReportTagged a sakaluran, Aleson Shipping, Anika Gayle 2, Archipelago Philippine Ferries, Aris Refugio, "cattle herding", Baclayon, Batuan, Bilar, Carmen, Cebu, Cebu Port Authority, Chocolate Hills, Christopher Pastrana, commuter van, converted Canter, Dagohoy town, Dao integrated terminal, fastcat, FastCat M11, fastcraft, habal-habal, Harborview Inn, High Speed Crafts (HSCs), Inabanga, Island City Mall, Island RORO I, J&N Ferry, Lite Ferries, Lite Ferry 7, Loay bridge, Loboc, LTFRB, Maharlika ships, Medium Speed Crafts (MSCs), Mitsubishi, MS Express, oceanjet, PSSS (Philippine Ship Spotters Society), PSSS Moderator, Sagbayan, Sandingan island, Sea Jet, Sikatuna, Southern Star bus, Star Crafts, tagbilaran, Tagbilaran-Sikatuna-Loboc, Talibon, Trinidad town, Tubigon, Ubay, Varadero de Recodo, Vinz, Vinz Sanchez, Weesam Express, YuchaiLeave a comment
My Recent Trip to Masbate, Batangas, Mindoro and Bicol (Part 1)
Posted on July 19, 2017 by psssadmin
I promised myself before that if I am in Cebu and if the Super Shuttle RORO 3 (SSR3) of Asian Marine Transport Corp. (AMTC) is running then I will take her to Batangas and that ship calls on Masbate on the way to there. I already inquired about her in AMTC Ouano last Sinulog but she was not running continuously yet then. She is my choice as she is the only direct trip to Batangas and she is the cheapest way to there. I also intended to take her on my way back to Cebu after I go on a short visit to Mindoro.
We thought she was just running recently but I found out she was already in the route since March but her schedule is irregular as it is already the cargo that determines when she leaves port making her more of a cargo-passenger ship or a RORO Cargo ship.
When I verified she was sailing, I tried to get a ticket in their Gorordo office in Cebu but they were no longer issuing tickets there and so I just got one when I went to AMTC Ouano where she is docked. We left on a Monday midnight but actually I nearly left the ship even though I already had a ticket because upon boarding I found out many of her comforts were already gone when to think she wasn't really a very comfortable ship to start with.
Gone already was the restaurant and the aircon sitting accommodation called "Theater". Both were already closed. Of course the Tourist was never opened for since the very start SSR3 didn't have enough passengers. Although I paid for the cheaper Seating accommodation in "Theater" they bumped me into the more uncomfortable Economy.
The Economy was the same and the mattresses are folded and the reason is to cut down on the dust settling in. But then it was still dusty as nobody takes care to clean them anymore and AMTC Ouano is dusty since the concrete has already turned into muck and the dust floating even diffracts my shots. The toilet and bath is also deteriorated too and less than clean (and its flies even go to the Economy section). The Economy is also hot even then but I found out the noise and vibration from the propeller shaft has lessened. There was no linen available. The Economy is basically for truck crews now and the passenger total was less than five.
The only place to while away time in SSR3 where there is air. On the kiosk on the right some food is available. Getting hungry is a possibility in the ship. The seats are dusty.
For meals there is rice and the service crew of the kiosk in the bridge level will cook canned food in a single-burner stove when ordered and eggs are available plus drinks, biscuits and noodles. Even that kiosk is also deteriorated too and the seats are dusty. In the ship there were more apprentices than passengers and truck/vehicle crews (there was one pick-up in the load). But what they had were apprentices that do not know how to clean a ship.
My condition demands more comfort than the average person and I feared I won't be able to sleep. I suffered in the trip but I tried the best I can to survive. But I cannot remember the last time I rode a more uncomfortable ship that has a reclining accommodation. Even the unimproved Lapu-lapu Ferry of more than ten years ago to Cataingan, Masbate with folding cots was more comfortable because it was airy and there was passenger service unlike in SSR3. In SSR3 I never saw a crewman in uniform and most of the persons doing some jobs were just apprentices. Now I wonder what they will learn after their apprenticeship expires when they don't even tend to the ship and the passengers.
When I woke up in the morning we were still in the middle of Visayan Sea and it was the Samar Sea islands that were dominating the seascape. I knew there is just a small chance of a ship encounter as this place has few ships sailing at daytime. It is a long time before the islands seemed to move and the very few passengers and crewmen at the lounge by the kiosk don't know them better than me. Until we passed by Cataingan Bay the Masbate land when we were astride it already seemed featureless. I just tried to view the islands in the east especially when we were approaching Naranjo islands. Yeah, with so many islands in the place and lots of fishes I was imagining the place as the birthplace of the Tausugs and the Badjaos which linguistic research says it is and they even have a descendant in the place, the Abaknons.
Islands in Samar Sea
Until the ship reaches the Uson area with its offshore islands Masbate island is not exciting to watch passing by. Maybe the lack of a true mountain range is the reason and though there is a coastal road few developments are visible. It is the islands on the starboard of the ship that seems to provide variety. And I was peering into it as if I am trying to peer into history and the peoples of the area. I feel that what is called Masbateno now could be the mother language of many languages. If our people came from Formosa and Bicol is their landing place on the way south and Bicol with its many dialects is a Visayan language then Masbate and the islands in Samar Sea might have been the key to the diaspora south.
The Uson area of Masbate also has a fascination to me as that was the only place in Masbate island that the Spaniards was able to control and the rest was controlled by the Moros. In Uson the Spaniards was able to established a galleon-building yard and the area south of the Bicol mountain ranges hosted the bulk of the galleon-building yards of the past as it had the best shipwrights then. I cannot help but think of that when I pass the place. By the way after Uson the ship will sail astride Ticao island too which was very important then to the galleon trade.
As forecast soon we were enveloped in heavy rain and visibility was hampered. The positive thing is everything cooled. It was a reminder that it was already habagat (southwest monsoon) season. We were now leaving the area where there is a gap in the far land mass. To the knowledgeable they know it is the San Bernardino Strait, the way of the galleons in the past into the Pacific Ocean (which is anything but pacific). It was also the way of our seafaring ancestors to Formosa and China, the Pintados with their boats that are even longer than the galleons. Their shipbuilding stopped when the Spaniards issued an edict outlawing them because they needed their skills for the galleons.
Masbate port. We will try to dock sideways between the two ferries.
We arrived in Masbate after more than 14 hours of sailing and we had a long time docking because the Captain tried a 45-degree docking. Maybe the linear space was not enough for sideways docking. But then the Sta. Clara ferry Jack Daniel suddenly left ahead of time and maybe her Captain was apprehensive of our docking maneuver and she was not waiting for any more vehicles anyway. But with that the last chance I can take pictures of buses in Masbate port was gone. Regarding ferries there were still two Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. (MSLI) High Speed Crafts plus a small RORO of them that will spend the night in port.
I then just made my way to Masbate bus terminal where I found four buses and a few motor bancas in the nearby boat landing area for most have already left as it was already 4 o'clock in the afternoon and the activities in the two Masbate ports was already dying. I was clearly dissatisfied with my Masbate ship and bus spotting. My only consolation was eating the Reuben burger of Bigg's Masbate but it cost over P200 already. I try to eat in Bigg's whenever I am in Bicol because they can't be found outside the region except for two of their outlets.
We left Masbate after more than three hours when night had already fallen after taking in livestock trucks and that meant cattle, carabao and goat (thanks there were no hogs). Masbate is known for livestock and the cattle was obviously for fattening. It was headed for Batangas and I assume when it reaches the market it will already be "Batangas beef". The car deck of SSR3 when we left Masbate and actually they did not fully load it in Mandaue so the cargo in Masbate can still be loaded.
For conversion to "Batangas cattle"
After dinnertime (there was actually no dinner), I was able to find a truck crewman that knows the area and like me has been around the country as he drifted from one job into another beginning with fishing. In terms of knowledge of the sea the contract fishermen in the big fishing fleets have almost the same knowledge as the seaman. Amazingly, he also knows buses. He has already lived in many places. We talked even past the Aroroy headland and lighthouse.
I was able to find a more comfortable position on an upper deck which I normally won't take because of my condition but the only breeze was there. The alternative is to sleep on a bench in the bridge deck by the canteen. Even there it was dusty but at least it was airy. A practical passenger actually slept there and I also spent time there after a hypoglycemic attack when I needed to cool down.
In terms of uncleanliness I do not know if SSR3 has descended to the level of Viva Shipping Lines. Sorry to say it and no offense meant but SSR3 is only good for truck crews whixh is a hardy bunch and not passengers and may this serve as a warning. Cleaning is not part of the routine of the crew and the apprentices. If there is no regular schedule then MARINA could just withhold the passenger license like with what they did with Gothong Lines. It won't matter on the part of AMTC anyway because for all practical purposes SSR3 is just a RORO Cargo ship now and she gets full anyway according to what I heard.
Marinduque behind
When I woke up in the morning we were just between Marinduque island and the Batangas headland which corresponds to the town of San Juan. I laughed because that route will make one feel what the view is if the Starhorse ferry was still sailing the San Juan to Marinduque route. Astride San Juan the plains of Naujan of Mindoro, the former developed area of Mindoro before Calapan was very visible along with the two tall mountains of Mindoro. Up ahead were the islands in the Verde Island Passage. But I was wondering why our ship was following the coastal route. Were we reclassified into a "coaster"?
Mindoro up ahead
I was able to engage in some productive exchanges with people connected with AMTC before entering Batangas Bay. From Matuco Point I was already busy taking photos of ships. The only positive thing about SSR3 was I was able to charge all my batteries. As usual there were a lot of ships in Batangas port and in the bay. Maybe my most notable finding was the reappearance of the former Siquijor Island II which is now The Pegasus. Our trip from Masbate lasted over 16 hours and it was near lunch when we arrived.
Batangas port
Disembarking from the ship the ATI (Asian Terminals Inc.) shuttle picked us up. Nobody walks around in Batangas port because ISPS tells them any passenger is a possible saboteur and ATI is the new operator. I really cannot understand this practice of government of handing over fully-developed ports with a lot of traffic to private operators for just a small rental when a port like Batangas costs in the billions. A chance to engage in "golden signatures", perhaps?
I did not have much time in Batangas port because upon surveying the ticketing booths I noticed the Starlite Pioneer was leaving at 1pm and I wanted to take that to assess the design of the new ship series of Starlite Ferries. I did not even have enough time to take enough bus pictures or have a proper lunch. But one thing I noticed in Starlite Ferries is a lot of passengers have food in see-through plastic meal boxes. I found out later that was already the new way of selling meals in Batangas and Calapan. Neat and practical and the price just matches that of fast food chains and there is less garbage and mess in the ship.
I found out the new Starlite Ferries has no meaningful difference over the older ferries except the side passageways are wider and there was an elevator for disabled persons. A wing passenger ramp like in Cebu is a better improvement for Batangas ferries because what they do is hold the passengers so that the vehicles can load or unload first. A wing ramp will enable simultaneous passenger and cargo loading and unloading which the Batangas ferries can't do unlike in Central Visayas.
By the way the passenger bridges of Batangas port are no longer used as shuttles just whisk away the passengers to their ship. So the design was wrong? Well, one does not need to go to the second floor of the passenger terminal building anymore and then go down to wharf level near the ship. Bus passengers meanwhile has to go down to pay the passenger terminal fee and board again their bus up to the ferry. Well it seems "cattle-herding" won't go anytime soon in the ISPS ports. Why can't the port assign collectors to go up the buses? It seems passenger comfort is an unknown objective to them. If passengers can move their asses so should they can for they are paid after. Maybe they can recruit former bus conductors to do that job for them.
Starlite Ferries built an open-air Economy section on top of the Japan-built passenger section to increase passenger capacity much like what shipping companies do with the surplus ships from Japan. It should have been my accommodation but the good thing is they upgraded us to the aircon section. That was a nice facility to cool down when ship spotting. My senior citizen fare was only P171 and I wondered how they computed that since it was lower than what I expected. Their fare are like the Economy of Oceanjet and FastCat which is about equivalent to the Economy of MSLI and I heard MSLI is suffering as a result. It is really good if there is true competition as fares go down.
It is nice taking a ferry to Calapan as there are many ships anchored in Batangas Bay and there are also encounters with ships from Calapan and ships traversing the Verde Island Passage. Sabang of Puerto Galera also becomes visible along with Maricaban island and Verde island. Traversing the strait one might think it was not habagat yet as the sea shows no sign of it. Approaching Calapan one has view of the town (it is a city), the settlements to the port and the port itself which looks very long now with many buildings already.
A part of Calapan port
We arrived in Calapan port at past 3pm. Starlite Pioneer was not able to deliver on their 1 hour 45 minute promised crossing time and we took two hours in the 24-nautical mile route. I thought the cruising speed of the ship was 14.5 knots? That is what they advertised. But anyway the crew was nice and I was able to charge batteries a little. And riding a new ship is always nice.
Upon arrival in Calapan, I realized I had no time anymore to go to Puerto Galera because if I do so I will arrive there when the sun is already setting down and I still wanted to roam Calapan port and take photos of ships and buses there if there are any around (there was none as it was still to early for the buses from Panay and Occidental Mindoro). I was also interested in the Mindoro jeeps which are actually trucks in disguise as they can't be found anywhere else.
After finding an eatery where I was able to charge battery I went to Calapan market to visit old haunts (I did business in Mindoro before) and see what changed, what remained. When I visited Calapan three years ago with two PSSS Moderators as hosts I was not able to figure out well the market as we were more on the outskirts and the new developments in Calapan. Roaming the market, I just did it on foot to better absorb things. I already tried to find our old place. I can no longer find it. The place of a lady Chinese friend was shuttered already. And the legendary Ampo was no longer there too.
Calapan public market and terminal
Before leaving the city I took my first food that can be called a meal. That was also my rest. Then a heavy rain fell and that precluded any more roaming or getting around. Getting a tricycle also got difficult. It was already a little dark when I arrived back in the port and roaming and taking shots were compromised. I got back to the eatery to retrieve my battery. I was able to interview the owner a little about the old ferries of Calapan when all were still wooden-hulled and moving cargo were all mano-mano (by hands).
In Calapan port I made calls and verification through others of my possible rides. I have the phone of AMTC Batangas but they were not answering calls. They had a notice in their ticketing office that boarding of SSR3 is 6pm the next day. If that is the case then I can while away the time in Batangas port, the city and the terminal (or go to Puerto Galera). But I was warned aboard the ship that it usually takes 3 days before SSR3 heads back to Cebu. Even the crewman aboard SSR3 was not taking my calls.
My alternative if it really that long was to take the 7am St. Francis Xavier of 2GO the next day in the North Harbor of Manila. It will cost me more but I can cover North Harbor again. But I anticipated a problem with the 2GO ship. All charging are charged there at P5 for 10 minutes. It will cost me a fortune to charge all my batteries which take a total of over 12 hours. And that is what I cannot understand about 2GO when the likes of Trans-Asia can offer free charging by the bunk and that is also what I found out about the refurbished Filipinas Maasin of Cokaliong which was my ship back to Cebu. It's hard when there are stockholders to please like in 2GO. They always expect dividends from profits.
I tried to avoid an early Calapan departure because I know there are less passenger comforts in Batangas port than in Calapan port. The first one is an ISPS port in the fullest sense and the passengers have a very small "corral" to roam around with few "grazing" areas like stores. That is not a problem in Calapan. If needed I can take a tricycle and head back to the city if I want a better eat or surroundings. If I go early there is no sense arriving in Manila at 2am. Manila is more dangerous and going to North Harbor early is also no good as the terminal is not open much ahead of the departure time (why waste power?).
Issuance of free ferry tickets for bus passengers in Calapan port
So I decided on an 11pm FastCat where I can have a nice rest. I declined the Starlite ferry at the same time because it is the older Starlite Jupiter. I am not sure if it has individual seats in an air-conditioned compartment and visually I dislike seeing people sleeping on seats (Batangas ferries are known for scrimping on bunks unlike in Cebu). If it was a new Starlite ferry that is different from the Starlite Pioneer I would have taken it because I need charging.
While waiting in Calapan port I was able to befriend two guards and I had a lively conversation with them that I was able to get more sense of Calapan-Batangas shipping now. We also had some talks of the past of Mindoro. Nothing beats a good talk when one is just waiting anyway. While i was talking to them the buses from Panay island and Occidental Mindoro kept arriving and after a short wait they board their ferries. Dimple Star is already the dominant bus in the routes that cross from Batangas going south.
The FastCat and the Starlite Jupiter arrived one after the other in Batangas after leaving one after the other in Calapan. Are the new ferries limiting their speeds already to save on fuel? We took nearly two hours to Calapan. My FastCat was the M5 and I have not ridden it before like the Starlite Jupiter. Their fares are about the same but I got the feeling the FastCat is more comfortable as it is a new ferry.
When I arrived in Batangas port at 1 am there was only one bus available, an N. De la Rosa Transit which is a Cubao/Kamias bus and passes through the Cubao underpass. I didn't like it. I don't want to go down in Makati and so I waited. But there was no other bus because a 2GO ship arrived ahead of us and vacuumed the waiting buses. At that hour going to the Batangas Grand Terminal will cost money by tricycle. Yes, one can get marooned in Batangas port after midnight.
Until 3am arrived. The N. De la Rosa bus has not yet left. Seems it was waiting for the 1am ferries from Calapan. 3am is the critical hour for me. If my bus is not leaving by that time then there is no more point going after a 7am ferry in North Harbor as I might just miss it. Good i hedged my bet and didn't get a 2GO ticket yet although their ticketing office was open.
A view of Batangas port while waiting for a bus
And from there my plans changed in an instant. Good I was from Luzon and I know the other alternatives. I can't wait for the other 2GO ferries in North Harbor as the next two departures are at night and the arrival in Cebu will also be at night and what is the use of that for ship spotting? It is also not a good alternative to wait for the SSR3 for 3 days. I was also not prepared for any long-ranging diversion in terms of days as I was not prepared for that in many ways.
I have to go some other way back….
Posted in Adventure, Information, Ship Feature, Shipping Issues, ToursTagged 2go, Ampo, AMTC Ouano, Asian Marine Transport Corp. (AMTC), ATI (Asian Terminals Inc.), "cattle herding", batangas, Bigg's, cargo-passenger ship, Dimple Star, fastcat, Filipinas Maasin, ISPS, Jack Daniel, masbate, Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. (MSLI), N. De la Rosa Transit, oceanjet, RORO Cargo ship, Siquijor Island II, Starlite Ferries, Starlite Jupiter, Starlite Pioneer, Super Shuttle RORO 3 (SSR3), The Pegasus, Viva Shipping Lines, wing passenger rampLeave a comment


text:
Attempted armed carjacking reported in Troy Hill
Men try to steal woman's Mercedes Benz
Updated: 11:00 AM EDT Oct 4, 2015
Daisy Ruth
Digital Producer
A carjacking attempt was reported in Pittsburgh's Troy Hill neighborhood Saturday night.According to Pittsburgh Public Information Officer Sonya Toler, officers responded to the 1800 block of Ley Street for an armed carjacking in progress at 11:30 p.m.According to the investigation, a 27-year-old woman from Oakmont was driving on Ley when she observed a black Cadillac Escalade with its headlights off driving toward her.Toler said two unknown black men dressed in all black were outside the Cadillac and two were inside.The car stopped and its high beams were activated while another unknown vehicle pulled behind the victim's Mercedes Benz.The victim called 911.One man approached her car and pointed a pistol at the victim, demanding she exit the vehicle. Toler said he is a dark-skinned black man, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a medium build.The carjackers fled at the sound of police sirens.The victim was not harmed. The investigation is ongoing.
A carjacking attempt was reported in Pittsburgh's Troy Hill neighborhood Saturday night.
According to Pittsburgh Public Information Officer Sonya Toler, officers responded to the 1800 block of Ley Street for an armed carjacking in progress at 11:30 p.m.
According to the investigation, a 27-year-old woman from Oakmont was driving on Ley when she observed a black Cadillac Escalade with its headlights off driving toward her.
Toler said two unknown black men dressed in all black were outside the Cadillac and two were inside.
The car stopped and its high beams were activated while another unknown vehicle pulled behind the victim's Mercedes Benz.
The victim called 911.
One man approached her car and pointed a pistol at the victim, demanding she exit the vehicle. Toler said he is a dark-skinned black man, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a medium build.
The carjackers fled at the sound of police sirens.
The victim was not harmed. The investigation is ongoing.


text:
Speaking About News
Home » Coronavirus » Maintain Hope and Believe in Triumph of Human Spirit
Maintain Hope and Believe in Triumph of Human Spirit
December 28, 2020 December 28, 2020 by keichri
Newt Gingrich,
We have an obligation to live a life of daring, of commitment, of courage.
Coming to the end of 2020, many of us feel battered. Whether it's politics, the coronavirus, the economy, or the lockdowns, there are ample reasons to be confused if not depressed. However, given the gloomy mood of the country — and indeed the world — it's essential to maintain hope.
On this week's episode of my podcast, "Newt's World," I explain why — but its not what you're expecting.
In the early 20th century, the American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote a marvelous series about John Carter, a fictional Virginian who ends up on Mars, surrounded by Martian civilization.
Throughout Carter's adventures, Burroughs has him repeatedly say, "Where there's life there's hope." So Carter will get in some bad situation and say that line — and of course, Burroughs makes sure things always work out.
I read these works in maybe eighth or ninth grade and fell in love with them. And they stuck with me for decades.
When I lost my first election, when I lost my second election, when I got to Congress and failed for years to create a majority — each time I would say, well, where there's life there's hope.
So I really do believe in the triumph of the human spirit and the need to pick ourselves up. In fact, we coined the phrase "cheerful persistence" to capture how we sought to change history and create a Republican majority in the House of Representatives, which we finally did after 40 years.
I say all this to introduce William Faulkner's amazing speech that he delivered while accepting the Nobel Prize in Literature in December 1950. In the speech, Faulkner, an immortal American writer, talked about how the human spirit will not only endure but also prevail. His message is essential for all of us today.
Specifically, I want to draw your attention to a passage that just stopped me in my tracks when I first encountered it as a younger man.
Faulkner wrote:
"It is easy enough to say that man is immortal simply because he will endure: that when the last dingdong of doom has clanged and faded from the last worthless rock hanging tideless in the last red and dying evening, that even then there will still be one more sound: that of his puny inexhaustible voice, still talking."
Faulkner then continued:
"I refuse to accept this. I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance … It is [the writer's] privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail."
I can't tell you how often over my 62 years of involvement in public life I've hit a point of being frustrated, of being almost intimidated, of looking at problems that seemed so bleak.
Yet every time I start to back off, I remind myself of Faulkner — that this is the human condition. Indeed, we have an obligation to live a life of daring, of commitment, of courage.
We need to have a vision worth our lives' work and then be willing to work toward the vision. Not because we will necessarily achieve it, but because the very act of trying, the very act of enduring, the very act of trying to reach out and achieve something greater than we were, to do something for others, to leave behind some footprints that are worthy of being followed — that's what Faulkner was talking about.
And he was trying to explain that his entire lifetime of writing was a lifetime of trying to find a way to express this in print, whether in poetry or fiction. There are values worth living for.
Faulkner offered a stronger, better vision of being American than what most of our schools try to teach today. He didn't teach safety; he taught endurance. He didn't teach hiding from problems; he taught wrestling with problems.
This year has been a tough time for all of us — some more than others. But we can still live well and prevail, not just endure, and that's because of the human spirit. If we're prepared to endure, then we will prevail.
In America, each of us has the opportunity to rise to the occasion — not necessarily to rise to the top, but to rise to the challenge, to make our lives slightly better. Our country is made remarkable because of all the individuals who, in their own way, do remarkable things.
I hope you will listen to this week's episode of "Newt's World" and remember that, where there's life, there's hope.
To read, hear, and watch more of Newt Gingrich's commentary, visit Gingrich360.com.
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Tag Archives: Castles
The Best Switzerland Attractions To See On Your Holiday
By Tracy July 1, 2014 July 1, 2014 Switzerland
Switzerland has more than vast Alpine meadows, luscious chocolate, and elegant watches to offer. The country also has a wealth of different attractions for nature lovers, adventurers, history buffs, religious faithfuls, and other kinds of travelers. The best Switzerland attractions caters to a wide variety of interests which in turn attracts tourists both young and old alike.
The Benedictine Convent of Saint John Mustair is a must-see for the faithful. It is thought to have been founded by Charlemagne. The date at which it was built is unknown but the murals inside the convent date back to 800 AD. Stucco artwork and Romanesque frescoes may also be seen in its interiors and contributes to its overall charm. The convent's façade is rather simple and is probably the reason why most tourists don't include it in their itinerary.
If you love architecture and nature, one of the top reasons to visit Switzerland is Chateau de Chillon. It is strategically located on the eastern edge of Lake Geneva. The beautiful Chillon Castle sits on top of jagged mountains. The castle appears to be surrounded by calm waters from afar and looks like a scene straight out of a movie. The reason why it was isolated is because it served as a medieval fort and prison. Long-abandoned, Chateau de Chillon is now open for tours and for exploring its natural surroundings.
The town of Bellinzona is strictly a historical-only landmark in Switzerland protected by fortified walls. Within its walls are the Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro castles. On the contrary, a strict nature-only attraction in the country is the Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area. It is a glacial area with about 35,000 hectares of frozen mountains. It is also home to Aletsch, the lengthiest glacier in the Alps which stretch 23 kilometers long. Hiking, trekking, and skiing opportunities are available to visitors of this nature reserve.
If you're taking kids with you and if you want them to have fun, take a train that passes through Albula and Bernina. Some of the country's most scenic landscapes are along these train routes. It's an effortless way of showing your kids the best of Switzerland. Meanwhile, travelers who adore art should stop by the Fine Arts Museum where works of Picasso, Monet, and other famous painters are on display. Products of Expressionism, Pop Art, and other kinds of art are also on display at the Fine Arts Museum.
Tagged attractions, Castles, Europe, mountains, museums, outdoors, Switzerland
Top Castles in Northern Ireland
By Michelle October 11, 2013 October 11, 2013 Northern Ireland
A sweet escape to the awe-inspiring haven of Ireland wouldn't be completely fulfilling if you don't get to see the top castles to visit in Northern Ireland. The castles in North Ireland were built around 800 years ago as medieval fortresses. But others are just modern homes or mansions which were patterned to the old castles. The greatest castles however were built by Normans who conquered England and Wales, and went to Ireland in 1169 to colonize the island as well. It has been said that "The greatest castles were the work of the ever-ambitious Normans".
One of the most significant Norman-built castles in the entire Ireland is the Carrickfergus Castle. Built in the mid 1170's, Carrickfergus is widely-considered as the most impressive among the castles in Ireland. It is remarkable because it represented the Normans' military strength during the Iron Age. The castle was strategically built in a defensive location, used to be surrounded by the sea, and overlooks Belfast Lough on the east. The castle is marvellously constructed from rough-hewn stone and its structure is exceptional even to contemporary standards. Despite its fearsome look, this castle is not really gigantic to explore. It was besieged several times and was used to be a penitentiary over the centuries. Today, functions to accommodate tourists who enjoy the glimpse of medieval ambience with all the embellished waxworks of the castle.
Another remarkable castle in North Ireland is Dunluce castle. It was built on basalt crag surrounded by wild waves of the sea. And from afar, it looks as if it peeks from below the sea on the edges of the crag which makes a spectacular sight. To get to the castle you have to cross a bridge from the mainland cafe and coffee shop. It's like the castle is from another era and space or isolated from real world, and it would be almost impossible to intrude from the sea to where it stands. The castle evidently manifests Iron Age strategic stronghold and protection before the times of the Vikings. Today, Dunluce castle remains under the protection of Northern Irish Ministry for the Environment. It is considered to be the most visited among the castles in North Ireland and is open the entire year with an entrance fee that is modestly charged.
Dunseverick Castle is also another noteworthy castle to consider exploring. It has a rich heritage to tell that is why it belongs in the category of top castles in Northern Ireland. Although there's nothing much to see on the castle because its remnants have almost completely vanished, the castle's remaining stone walls create a romantic scenery with flocks of sheep grazing on green grasses overlooking the blue sea down the cliff. Founded well before Normans arrived in Ireland, Dunseverick Castle was the site of the fort during Iron Age. In 500 AD, it was allegedly visited by St. Patrick, it was attacked by Vikings in 900 AD, it was fortified by Normans after they invaded the island, it was held by McCain family in around 1600 who further strengthened the site, and finally destroyed by Cromwellian campaign from England in 1642 when they conquered Ireland. Today, it's a common stopping point for tourists who travel along Causeway Coast of County Antrim and you don't even need formal visiting arrangements nor do you have to pay entrance fees to visit the ruins of the castle.
Tagged Castles, Europe, History, Northern Ireland, Travel
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KARUNA NEWS 2017 | 2 (Part 1)
by Editor | Mar 28, 2017 | KARUNA NEWS, RECENT NEWS | 0 comments
Currently there are 9 Leprosy Clinics and 1 General Clinic that have proved successful over the last 16 years. We have an established Karuna van in which all the clinics are run and 6 full time permanent staff. Over the years, the Awareness Camps have proved a major success. The Dharavi Awareness Camp commenced 2015 and we have continued it n2016 because of its success. The Skin Awareness Program was conducted in, Malad in 2015 and the success of this Program has led us to continue it again in March 2016.
Over 2300 people have directly benefited from this project since it was first established. Patients are affected by leprosy or other diseases, and live in abject poverty. They would not have been able to access effective treatment if it were not for the project.
The team continues to give basic medical care and self-care' training (self hygene, regular dressing, having regular bath) to patients. Over time, this will definitely help to reduce the number of patients with recurring ulcers.
Number of leprosy patients treated
Patients treated in General Clinics
An awareness camp was organized in 4 places, Dahisar (twice as the number of patients were too many to handle in one session), Appapada, & Dharavi, 166 people attended & were treated during the Awareness camps. 214 New patients were registered at the General Clinics.
The launch of the Microfinance Program for Ladies in early Jan has proven to be successful, leading to a 3rd group being formed in early Dec 2016. This microfinance scheme launched by the government to help those who are lesser privileged in society is a great advantage to the women. Ladies will now have access to loans and other facilities to help improve their livelihood and break the poverty cycle.
In addition to basic medical care, the team provided 'self-care' training (foot-soaking, wearing protective footwear, bandaging of wounds etc) to patients affected by leprosy. Over time, this will help to reduce the number of patients presenting with recurring ulcers.
The team continues to be dedicated to the holistic care of those who attend the clinic, offering food, casual counselling and friendship. Most of the leprosy affected people feel the freedom to talk to people around them and in the society or in their families because of consistent medication and a listening ear given to them Karuna team and volunteers. Many volunteers from the community visit the affected people and sit with them and listen to them, which helps them to come out of their self rejection.
ANNUAL BUDGET in Rupees
Another Big Day for Karuna
Krupa update 2023
Karuna Detects Two New Cases
Karuna Project Mobile Medical Team
Early Detection Medical Camp
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/Policy /Employment	/Issue Brief: The Need for an Executive Order
Issue Brief: The Need for an Executive Order
Freedom to Work
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
American taxpayers send almost $300 billion per year in federal contract dollars to businesses in states that have not yet passed laws to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workers from employment discrimination. In fact, a substantial majority (60%) of the 25 states in which businesses received $5 billion or more in federal contracts in 2012 have no employment protections based on sexual orientation. And more than two-thirds of those states (68%) have no employment nondiscrimination laws explicitly covering gender identity.
This discrimination with taxpayer money is a lose/lose proposition for taxpayers and LGBT workers—and it breaks America's basic bargain that workers will judged and rewarded based on their contributions and capabilities. The new Issue Brief: The Need for an Executive Order—co-authored by MAP, the Center for American Progress, Freedom to Work, the Human Rights Campaign, and Out & Equal Workplace Advocates—looks at how an executive order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers would extend protections to an additional 16 million workers, and would cover more than 20% of the U.S. civilian workforce.
Issue Brief: The Need for an Executive Order Download


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Showing posts from March 13, 2013
PS Vita outsells 3DS in Japan.....hell freezes over!
Do not adjust your sets, it's true. The PS Vita has out sold the 3DS for the first time and is up on the fantastic weekly sales after the price cut last week. Over 63,000 Vitas were sold while as we predicted Soul Sacrifice sold well over 100,000 combined sales. Well done Sony and Vita. Just keep up the numbers. I have to say we'll be keeping a close eye on next weeks figures and hope they don't nose dive. I feel the word will spread as gamers get to grips with Soul Sacrifice as it looks deep and brilliant.
PS Vita System Update 2.06 Released
Just a Minor Update The Vita received an update today bringing the software to version 2.06. Not many details are available about what's changed, all we know is that it improves system stability
Battlefield 4 Playstation 4 Screens
These screens have just blown us away! Next Gen Battlefield 4 will be shown on 26th March but we have just grabbed these screens from the world wide web. PS4 rumoured screens. Stunning. Chief financial officer Blake Jorgenson commented on "Battlefield 4" and the PS4 during a Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference and had this to say. "I'd say between now and E3 you're going to see a lot of stuff from us. We're very excited about Sony's platform. The technical power on the platform is going to allow us to do a substantial amount of things we've never done before," Jorgenson said when asked about EA's stake in the PS4 over the next couple of years. "I've seen the new 'Battlefield' and it is stunning. It is just amazing what the imagination of the game developers are allowed to do with that much power." BF4 is rumoured to be a PS4 launch game, will it go head to head


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Supreme Court of Guam Administrative Order No. ADM20-408
Please find Administrative Order No. ADM20-408, the Eighth Updated Order Relative to Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances Related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), which was filed this afternoon.
GVB Presentation on Guam COVID-19 Alert App
The Guam Visitors Bureau invites the general public to a Zoom presentation on the Guam COVID-19 Alert App. Please see the Zoom meeting information below if interested in attending the presentation.
The District Court of Guam issued General Order No. 20-0035 regarding the court's readiness in response to COVID-19 and Executive Order No. 2020-30.
Administrative Order Nos. ADM20-406 and ADM20-407 Re: COVID-19
With the signing of the latest Executive Order No. 2020-30, The Supreme Court of Guam has issued Administrative Order No. ADM20-406, the Seventh Updated Order Relative to Court Operations Under Exigent Circumstances Related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), filed September 4, 2020.
Håfa Adai.
Please be advised that the District Court of Guam issued General Order No. 20-0034 on August 31, 2020, further extending General Order No. 20-0032 through September 7, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Administrative Order No. ADM20-404
Please see Administrative Order No. ADM20-404.
Please see Administrative Order No. ADM20-403, Re: the repeal and replacement of Administrative Order Nos. ADM20-399 and ADM20-402.
Amended Administrative Order No. ADM20-402
Please see Administrative Order No. ADM20-402 filed on August 25, 2020, Re: Amending Administrative Order No. ADM20-399 Relative to Warrant Returns.
Re-appointment of Benjamin C. Sison, Jr. as Magistrate Judge
The Guam Bar Association is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Benjamin C. Sison, Jr. as Magistrate Judge of the Superior Court of Guam.
Supreme Court of Guam Administrative Order Nos. ADM20-399 & ADM20-400
Please see the following two Administrative Orders issued Friday, August 21, 2020 by the Supreme Court of Guam relative to COVID-19.


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Choosing an activity for your child isn't always easy, but here at Haydens we have come up with an informative, easy to understand guide that will enable you to make the best possible choice for your child/children and family!
Simply click on one of the activity ICONS of your choice to see the available class days and times. When you decide on what day and time you would like to attend, click on the word "REGISTER", complete the necessary information and start immediately! It's that simple. If the class has a "WAIT LIST", no worries, just click and complete the required information and we will contact you when the class is available, or you can pick a class that is available, and when an opening becomes available for your first choice, we will contact you.
Continue as long as you like. ALL of our activities are year round for your convenience.
GYMNASTICS IS A YEAR ROUND SPORT! FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, WE DO NOT HAVE SESSIONS. REGISTER AND START AT ANYTIME.


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Home News & Analysis Citi funds Cerberus's latest NPL buy
Citi funds Cerberus's latest NPL buy
Citi has financed the purchase of a £1bn non-performing loan portfolio for Cerberus Capital Management, Real Estate Capital can reveal.
The bank has written a cheque of around £500m for the loan-on-loan deal to fund the acquisition of Project Carlisle from Nationwide.
Cerberus paid close to £680m for the £1bn UK book, putting the loan-to-value of the loan in the region of 75%. The margin on the debt is around 300bps.
Carlisle comprises 115 loans secured against 176 properties. The majority of the loans are already subject to an insolvency process meaning that Cerberus will be able to gain control of the property in a relatively straightforward manner.
The portfolio includes debt held against F&C Reit's Star City leisure complex in Birmingham; 51 Eastcheap in the City of London, previously owned by City Site Estates and now managed by Stanhope and Frogmore's Port Arcades in Ellesmere Port.
The deal with Cerberus is a new relationship for Citi which already has close ties with loan-buying private equity firms Blackstone, Lone Star and Oaktree Capital Management.
Last year Citi was one of a trio of banks that backed Lone Star in its NPL purchases from IBRC, including the £5.2bn Projects Rock and Salt as well as Lone Star's portion of the €9.3bn Project Stone. It is expected that Citi will look to fund more non-performing loan portfolios this year, particularly those being sold by NAMA secured by Irish collateral.
Citi's other deals in 2014 included a £300m loan to Ares and Delancey to refinance The Walbrook in the City of London, which is currently up for sale; a number of deals for Blackstone's logistics platform, Logicor both in the UK and on the Continent; and more than £200m of loans for Greystar as it bought up elements of collapsed student housing investor Opal Group.
Citi declined to comment. Cerberus was unavailable for comment.


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MAPS staff member served on one of Mayor-elect Lightfoot's transition committee
by Heather Morrison
One of our staff members just wrapped up serving on one of Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot's transition committees. Steven Vance, our Director of Urban Planning & Technology was a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Transition Committee. This committee comprises representatives from public sector transportation agencies and authorities, private sector companies and associations, as well as consultants and advocates.
The role of the transition committees was to advise the Mayor-elect's transition team on the initiatives and processes that Lightfoot's administration should adopt. Early on, each committee member was required to submit a memo detailing a single initiative they think would help the Lightfoot administration instill values of transparency, transformation, diversity and inclusion, and equity. (All memos were posted online.)
Steven's memo suggested quickly piloting new bus lanes downtown that would ensure the thousands of people who ride some of the CTA's express bus routes from the South Side are able to consistently arrive to work downtown at the same time every day.
At the second and final meeting last week, committee members discussed each other's initiatives. The co-chairs of Steven's transition committee are now writing reports that incorporate the members' initiatives and discussion. The reports will be presented to Lightfoot at a ceremony on May 17 at Kennedy-King College, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Steven was likely selected to join the committee because of his broad experience reporting and reviewing transportation policies for Streetsblog Chicago for many years before he joined MAPS. At MAP Strategies, Steven focuses on policy review, updates our clients on new and proposed policies, and leads his department on a myriad of zoning services, including site selection and vignettes, zoning assessments and data-driven studies for real estate developers.
Separately from the transition committee, Steven and I also met with policy managers at the Lightfoot transition team last month to discuss the impacts of the updated Chicago Building Code. Certain aspects of the modernized code allow larger multi-family wood frame construction and larger cold-formed metal framing for mid-rise buildings, which could reduce costs for some affordable housing developments.
Photo above shows Steven Vance talking to Derrick James, another transportation & infrastructure transition committee member.
tagged with Lightfoot administration


Extremely quick glue warm up and simple adjustment of the workpiece thickness and edge thickness – the detailed solution and proven system components on the G 220 particularly impress. The solid construction and well laid out design ensure that even in smaller workshops you can work without restrictions.
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Depending on the setting, the protruding edge is trimmed flush to the workpiece with two cutters on the upper and lower edge of the workpiece and the finish is executed either with a 2 mm radius or 15° bevel cutter.
The end trimmer cuts the protruding edges flush to the workpiece at the beginning and the end.


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Home » Football Tips » Manchester City to Win another Thriller vs Chelsea
Manchester City to Win another Thriller vs Chelsea
Fresh from beating Arsenal 3-0 twice in a week and picking up the Carabao Cup, Manchester City face Chelsea on Sunday before Wednesday's Champions League second leg versus Basel. The games come thick and fast for Pep Guardiola's side but they are still a fair bet to surge further clear at the top of the table by beating Antonio Conte's Chelsea at the Etihad on Sunday.
City lead Basel 4-0 in the Champions League after a resounding victory away from home, and Guardiola is unlikely to be harbouring any worries of a shock result on Wednesday. By contrast, he is more likely to concentrate all resources on a home match against last season's champions in which a win will take him one step closer to the Premier League crown. Chelsea produced a top class performance to draw 1-1 with Barcelona in their Champions League tie, but they followed up with a 2-1 loss at Manchester United – the Blues third away defeat in a row.
In other weekend games it's all about the relegation zone with just five points between 11th and 18th. While the title race may be all but over, the battle for relegation is only beginning and no team in the bottom half of the table is safe. Southampton versus Stoke, formerly a mediocre mid-table clash, is a relegation six-pointer. The Saints climbed out of the bottom three after a 1-1 draw at Burnley, but the same result from Stoke at Leicester leaves the Potters one point behind and still in the mire. The two meet on the South Coast on Saturday and Southampton should be all-out for a home win.
Bournemouth are five points clear of the drop zone, and although most pundits think they have enough about them to stay up, they are shipping goals at an alarming rate. The Cherries had to fight back from 2-0 down at home to Newcastle last weekend to claim their third 2-2 draw in the last ten games. Leicester have won four of their last six at home – but crucially – have only conceded twice during that run. The Foxes are a decent bet to make home advantage count against Eddie Howe's side on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester City v Chelsea
First up it's the big game and odds of 3.15Bet €100 to win €31543/20Bet £100 to win £315+215Bet $100 to win $3152.15Bet HK$100 to win HK$3152.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp315-0.4651Bet RM100 to win RM315 with 888Sport about a Man City win and both teams to score are worth a second look.
This is a bet that would have landed in 8 of City's last 10 home matches, all of which they have won. The likes of Newcastle, Bristol City, Watford and West Ham have all found the net at the Etihad but ended up on the losing side. Chelsea are more than good enough to score here but will be outgunned if Guardiola's players are at their best. Some punters will question the idea of backing Man City after a tough week which included a Thursday night game, but such is the depth of their squad that there should be enough fit players available – particularly as the midweek game against Basel is a 'dead rubber'.
Chelsea have been beaten on each of their last three domestic away games, at Arsenal, Watford and Manchester United. Overall Conte's team have only won four of the last ten matches and suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. Now down to 5th in the table, Chelsea have plenty to fight for in terms of top four positions, but few will rush in to back them to win here.
Man City have won 13 of 14 home games in the Premier League so take the odds about another win and both teams scoring.
Leicester v Bournemouth
The Foxes are a decent home side and can be backed at 1.84Bet €100 to win €18421/25Bet £100 to win £184-119Bet $100 to win $1840.84Bet HK$100 to win HK$184-1.19Bet Rp100 to win Rp1840.8400Bet RM100 to win RM184 with 888Sport to beat Bournemouth and their leaky defence.
Leicester's four recent home wins have all been accompanied by clean sheets and they now have Burnley's 7th place in sight. That could still be a Europa League spot for whoever finishes 'best of the rest' so there is plenty to play for. The former Premier League champions are only a point behind the Clarets and will aim to secure the three points here in a bid to overtake that rival.
Bournemouth's shock 3-0 win at Chelsea was their only away win in the last ten games, and they were thumped 4-1 by Huddersfield on their next road trip. Recent fixtures have been littered with goals – 9 of the Cherries last 10 games have had over 2.5 goals – so Vardy and Mahrez should find plenty of opportunity to add to their tallies.
Southampton v Stoke
Another solid home bet is Southampton, who are 1.75Bet €100 to win €1753/4Bet £100 to win £175-133Bet $100 to win $1750.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$175-1.33Bet Rp100 to win Rp1750.7500Bet RM100 to win RM175 with Betway to get the better of Stoke.
The pair are 16th and 19th in the table but it is the Saints who appear the more likely to steer clear of trouble. The South coast club have been returning poor results for much of the season but at least they have lost only one of the last nine – and that was a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. There have been too many draws though, and Saturday's game is the perfect opportunity to gain a precious three points.
Stoke also need those points but the Potters have the worst away record in the whole division. They've gathered just 7 points from 14 away games and have conceded a league high 33 goals on their travels. Three draws and one defeat in the last four shows a slight improvement from Paul Lambert's new side but Stoke are as short on quality as they are on points.
Manchester City to win and both teams to score
Sunday 4th March, 16:00 GMT
Odds: 3.15Bet €100 to win €31543/20Bet £100 to win £315+215Bet $100 to win $3152.15Bet HK$100 to win HK$3152.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp315-0.4651Bet RM100 to win RM315
Leicester to beat Bournemouth
Saturday 3rd March, 15:00 GMT
Southampton to beat Stoke
Odds: 1.75Bet €100 to win €1753/4Bet £100 to win £175-133Bet $100 to win $1750.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$175-1.33Bet Rp100 to win Rp1750.7500Bet RM100 to win RM175


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Low-fat foods are delicious, like this Apple-Cranberry Crisp, or these Portobello Frajitas and Easy Vegetable Chili, you'll find plenty of low-fat, vegan recipes to keep your tummy happy!
Healthy Tip: Keep in mind, your body stores extra calories as fat, whether they come from low-fat or fat-free foods. When trying to control weight, replacing high-fat foods with high-calorie foods, may make you gain weight rather than lose it.


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