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Daily News - 7 February 2000
Isa Conde defends privatization
Antonio Isa Conde, the president of the Commission for the Reform of Public Enterprise, defended the capitalization of the state electric utility (CDE) over the weekend. The Commission published two full pages in local dailies presenting its official position regarding the capitalization. Isa Conde at the end of the exposé challenges opposition party presidential candidate, Hipólito Mejía to debate him on the privatization process. Mejía has turned down the offer to debate him, stating that Isa Conde is not a presidential candidate.
The capitalization of the CDE has been under strong attacks from almost all sectors, after January power bills reflected sometimes 100% increases, at a time when consumers are having to endure more than eight-hour blackouts.
In the publication, Isa Conde says that the present government is enduring the political cost of the passing of the state utility onto private administration.
"Without the reform of the CDE, the electricity sector would have crashed months ago. It is the reform that has impeded the total collapse, and fundamentally will guarantee the structural solutions to those problems in a definitive manner," he said.
He explained that the financial situation of the CDE was unmanageable, and the reform picked up half of the debt, with US$80 million in arrears with private generators remaining, having negative effects on the power situation.
"The reform will bring about the conditions that will avoid the country having to depend on the so-called private power generators, whose operations and contractual relations are many years old and are totally foreign from the Law 141-97 capitalization process," he said. He stressed that the installation of new power plants takes time.
He said that in addition to the rehabilitation of the CDE, the reform is bringing about a restructuring of the national electricity market. He explained that new companies can now enter the market, making it more efficient every day, and guaranteeing that in a more or less near future the country will be rid of the problems that the present deficits of the electricity sector bring.
He denied that the government is spending more now than before the privatization. He says the difference comes from having to assume the US$80 million of conciliated debt with the private generators that existed before privatization and that the government is subsidizing the increase in the price of petroleum.
He admitted that the Commission did not clarify to Dominicans when promising that electricity rates would not go up for four years, that they would if factors such as the price of fuel escalated. He said they did not clarify this because they did not expect that the cost of fuel would climb from US$10 at the time of the negotiations to the present US$30.
According to Isa Conde, there have been "structural problems." "We are in a process of change, of transition, and the companies are not yet working as they should," he said. He admitted that the new distribution companies have had billing problems. He urged the distribution companies to concentrate efforts and investments so that service can be improved. For example, he said that the distribution companies have not yet installed appropriate new counter systems.
"Dominicans all, have to demand that the distribution companies correct those problems in the least time possible, because only a 9% increase has been authorized," he said. He said that consumers should demand their rights if they receive bills with increases above this amount, attributable to problems that he still still affect the billing system.
"In that the Superintendence of Electricity should be firm, because with the reform, the state has not lost its regulatory function," he said.
For more on the electricity situation, see a special report on the power supply situation at www.dr1.com/daily/power020400.shtml
Hipólito still maintains comfortable lead
The most recent El Siglo-Penn, Schoen & Berland survey shows that if the election were held today, 50% of Dominicans would vote for PRD's Hipólito Mejía; 27% for the PLD's Danilo Medina and 20% for the PRSC's Joaquín Balaguer 20%. Only 2% said they were undecided. The poll took place 25 January-1 February, and 1,400 Dominicans able to vote were surveyed. A previous El Siglo/Penn, Schoen & Berland survey carried out 24-31 October 1999, showed that 51% of those surveyed would vote for Mejía, 26% for Medina and 20% for Balaguer.
The president of Penn, Schoen & Berland carries out polls for US President Clinton, and is working on Mrs. Hillary Clinton's campaign for senator of New York.
A Gallup-Rumbo poll that took place 14-19 December also showed the PRD candidate to be in the lead. Gallup showed Hipólito leads with 47%, Danilo with 28% and Balaguer with 18%. This compared to an October poll when Hipólito had 48%, Danilo 23% and Balaguer 22%.
To win in the first round, a candidate needs to have 50%+1 vote. If none of the candidates achieves this number of votes, a second round is called for 30 June.
JCE promises voting list will be ready 20 February
Manuel Ramon Morel Cerda, president of the Junta Central Electoral, the Dominican election board, said that on 20 February participating political parties will each receive a draft voters' list so they can revise the list and make observations.
The JCE president also said that a local newspaper has offered to publish the voters list for free.
DR to face Puerto Rico again tonight
The Dominican Republic needs to defeat Puerto Rico tonight to be able to play a final game that would decide the Caribbean World Series. If Puerto Rico wins tonight, it will have won the penchant. Puerto Rico has won its first five games. The DR has won four games, but lost one to Puerto Rico, 8-3. Puerto Rico has not won a Caribbean series since 1993.
Cangrejeros de Santurce manager Max Oliveras said that Ricky Bones will pitch for Puerto Rico. For the DR, manager Tony Peña has announced either Robinson Pérez Checo or Luis Vizcaino will open for the Aguilas Cibaeñas.
Caribbean World Series games scheduled for today are:
4 pm Venezuela vs Mexico
8 pm Puerto Rico vs DR
Tickets are selling for RD$500 Palcos A, RD$350 Palcos AA, RD$250 preferencias, RD$40 bleachers. Cadena Microondas Nacionales will transmit by Channel 7, Antena Latina and by radio the games. Fox Sports World Español, a Spanish language all-sports network in the US, is transmitting the series to select US cities.
For tickets, call 567-6371 or 540-5772.
Casandra Awards nominees announced
Show business's night of stars, the Casandra Awards ceremony will take place tonight at the National Theater. Five artistic segments will break up the seemingly endless presentation of awards in 49 categories. The performing artists will be:
Yolanda Duke, "Tiempo" by Patricia Ascuasiati, choreography by Guillermo Cordero, with the performance of the Ballet Casandra 2000
Merengue king, Chichí Peralta, "La Morena" the debut of a merengue from his forthcoming CD.
"Ale ale, Papa bocó", in honor to composer Manuel Sánchez Acosta, with the participation of the Philharmonic Casandra 2000. Conducted by Papa Molina, with orchestration by José Antonio Molina. Performance of the Ballet Concierto Dominicano, with Silvia Crespo and Armando González.
Sonia Silvestre, "A Todo Pulmón" by Alejandro Lerner, produced by Maestro Jorge Taveras, Philharmonic Casandra 2000.
Juan Luis Guerra and 4-40 performing the merengue "El Niágara en Bicicleta" with the theatrical group, La Estaca.
The grand final will be a presentation by merengue star Toño Rosario, performing "Alegría," directed by Elías Santana, and choreography by Guillermo Cordero.
There will also be moments to honor 30 years on TV of El Show del Mediodía, and composer Julio Alberto Hernández.
Cecilia García and Jochy Santos will present the awards that are sponsored by Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, the Presidente beer brewery. Members of the Dominican Association of Show Business Chroniclers (Acroarte) choose the winners of the annual awards.

The nominated performers are:

Classics & Theater

1. Best Actor of the year:
Iván García ("Las alegres comadres de Windsor")
Ovaldo Añez ("La trinitaria blanca")
Pepito Guerra (La Chascona)
Richard Douglas ("En casa de Romero, Julieta de palo")

2. Best Actress of the Year
Lilyana Díaz ("La trinitaria blanca"/"Grease")
Lidia Ariza ("La Chascona," "Confesiones de mujeres")
Flor de Bethania Abreu ("La Chascona")
Edilí ("Confesiones de mujeres", "Estoy amando a mi suegra")
Yamilé Schecker ("Confesiones de mujeres")

3. Best Secondary Actor or Actress:
Pepito Guerra ("La trinitaria blanca")
Monina Solá ("La trinitaria blanca")
Niurka Mota ("Las alegres comadres de Windsor")

4. Best Theater Director:
Enrique Chao ("Alicia en el país de las maravillas", "Confesiones de mujeres", "Liquidación total", " En casa de Romeo, Julieta de palo," "La trinitaria blanca")
Danilo Taveras ("Una taza de té para una mujer casada")
Bienvenido Miranda ("Las alegres comadres de Windsor")
Danilo Ginebra ("Gente").

5. Best Drama:
"La trinitaria blanca" (Manuel Rueda)
"Estoy amando a mi suegra" (Roberto Salcedo), "Gente" (Mario Veloz Maggiolo).

6. Best Foreign Drama:
"Las alegres comadres de Windsor" (Bienvenido Miranda-Shakespeare)
"La Chascona" (Flor de Bethania Abreu-Jorge Díaz, Chilean)
"Señora, me presta su marido?" (Germana Quintana- L. Stevens)
"Una taza de té para una mujer casada", Danilo Taveras-Eugenio Hernández)
"Confesiones de mujeres" (Enrique Chao-Antonio de Oliveira)

7. Best Children's Play:
"Alicia en el pais de las maravillas" (Fidel Lopez/Enrique Chao)
La bella durmiente (Zenaida Terrero)
"La Pinky y los tres mosquiteros" (Nuryn Sanlley) "Cascanueces" (Ninoska Velázquez)

Dance and Shows:

8. Best Classic Ballerina:
Zenaida Terrero ("Pelilunio", "La Bella Durmiente", "Don Quixote")
Mary Loise Ventura ("Plenilunio", "Desequilibrio") Silvia Crespo ("Cascanueces")
Soraya Franco ("Danzas Hindues")
Monika Despradel ("Cartas")

9. Best Classic/Modern Dancer:
Armando González ("La Bella Durmiente", "Plenilunio", Cartas)
Víctor Ramírez (Cartas)
Edwin Silva ("Cartas")
Raúl Valdez ("Cartas")
Elvis Guzmán ("Muñecos", "Colores del Caribe" and "A cuatro tiempos")

10. Best Classic/Modern Choreographer:
Imgard Despradel ("Sueños de Volare")
Patricia Ascuasiati ("Plenilunio")
Carlos Veitía ("Aída" and "Carmen").

11. Best Classic Performance:
"Cartas" (Monika Despradel)
"Aida" (Opera de las Americas)
"Carmen" (Teatro Nacional)
"Plenilunio" (Patricia Ascuasiati).

12. Best Popular Show Choreographer: Carlos Veitía ("A cuatro tiempos")
Miguel Fuertes ("Elegante noche")
Salimé Pineda ("Grease")
Guillermo Cordero ("Piel con piel" y "Yo fuí por todas partes")

13. Best Folklore Ballet:
Ballet Folkórico Nacional
Areito
Sangre Mulata
Ballet Folklórico Cultural de Santiago
Ballet Folklórico de la UASD

14. Best Classics Vocal:
Ivonne Haza (multiple recitals)
Marianela Sánchez (multiple recitals)
Frank Lendorf (Opera Aida)
Francisco Casanova (Opera Aida)

15. Best Classic Instrumentist:
María de Fátima Geraldes (pianist)
Michael Camilo (pianist)
Jorge Torres Sosa (clarinetist)
Victor Mitrov (trumpetist)
Frank Ureña (violinist)

16. Best Classic Music Composer:
Michael Camilo ("Latino")
Amaury Sánchez ("Alicia en el país de las maravillas" "Estados de ánimo")
Francois Bahuad (multiple performances)

17. Best Chamber Group:
Ars Nova
Quinteto Internacional de Metales
Camerata Santo Domingo
Duo Concertante

18. Most Outstanding Dominican Artist Abroad:
Carlos Piantini
Francisco Casanova
Michael Camilo
José Antonio Molina

19. Best Orchestration and Musical Arranger:
Armando Olivero
José Antonio Molina
Manuel Tejada
Amaury Sánchez
Luisín del Rosario

20. Best Songwriter:
José Antonio Rodríguez ("Había una vez un merengue")
Alicia Baroni ("A otro nivel")
Carlos Silver ("Una oportunidad")
Pedro Ramírez ("Piel con piel")
Juan Luís Guerra ("El Niágara en bicicleta")

Television:

21. Best Radio Commentator: Bueno Torres
Eduardo Santana
Pablo Ross
Rubén Camilo

22. Best News Anchor:
Nestor Estevez
Pedro Julio Santana
Félix Victorino
Manuel Segura
Eduardo Guerrero

23. Best Music Presenter:
Francis Molina
Ross Peña
Hector José Torres
D.J. Franchy

24. Best Master of Ceremony: Jatnna Tavarez
Miguel de Jesús
Nestor Estévez

25. Best Presenter:
Frederick Martínez
Jochy Santos
Domingo Bautista
Michael Miguel
José Fabián

26. Best TV special:
"El Milagro de la Danza" (Julio Suárez/Televida)
"El Futuro en Surco Ajeno" (Adalberto Grullón and Altagracia Salazar/Channel 2)
"Manolo" (Henriette Weise).

27. Best Music Video:
"Sola," (Mariela Mercado/José Antonio Rodríguez)
"La hormiguita," (Juan Basanta)
"Palomita blanca," (Peyi Guzmán)
"Siempre estoy pensando en ella," (Juan Basanta)

28. Best Specialized Program:
"Jornada Extra"
"Hola Gente"
"Portafolio Extra"
"Esta Noche Mariasela".

29. Best Investigative Journalism Show:
"Nuria en el 9" (Nuria Piera)
"Somos Así, Así Somos" (Cornelia Margarita) "A Tiempo" (Aridia Taveras).

30. Best Children's TV program: "Club de Isha"
"Vivan los Niños"
"Topi Topi"
"Sábado Chiquito"
"Aldea Mágica"

31. Best Comedy Show:
"La Opción de las 12" (Channel 5)
"De Remate" (Telecentro, Channel 13)

32. Best Comedian:
Raymond Pozo
Miguel Cespedes

33. Best Daily Variety TV program:
"Punto Final"
"Show del Mediodía"
"Ustedes y Nosotros"
"Super Tarde"

34. Best Weekly Variety TV Program:
"Sábado de Corporán"
"Sabadasso"
"Sábado Lindo"
"7 x 7 Roberto"
"El Gordo de la Semana"

Pop:

35. Best Rock Group:
Tribu del Sol
Toque Profundo
Aljadaqui
JLS

36. Best Grassroots Music Group: José el Calvo y su Artillería Pesada
Fefita la Grande

37. Best Bachata Performer: Raulín Rodríguez
Luis Vargas
El Gringo de la Bachata
Anthony Santos
Zacarías Ferreiras

38. New Artist of the Year: Kathyan
Swing Divino
Reynold Sosa
Carlos Silver

39. Best Female Vocal:
Marcel
Edilí
Milly Quezada

40. Best Male Vocal:
Héctor Acosta
Sergio Vargas
Anthony Ríos
Eddy Herrera
Frank Ceara

41. Best Music CD:
"Piel con piel," Kathyan
"No hay problemas" Toros Band'
"Vuelve el merengue," Rubby Pérez
"No me dejes morir," Carlos Silver

42. Best Merengue:
"Había una vez un merengue," Sergio Vargas
"El Niágara en bicicleta," Juan Luis Guerra
"Menos que nada," Toros Band
"Demasiado niña," Eddy Herrera
"Ando buscando un amor," Henry Jiménez and Kaki Vargas

43. Best Concert:
"La vida," Manuel Jiménez
"Voz," Katherine Ross
"Yo fui por todas partes," Sonia Silvestre
"Reencuentro," Fernando Echavarría

44. Best Show:
"Piel con piel" (Kathyan)
"Los Toros Band, pa Chavón" (Los Toros Band)
"El Niágara en bicicleta" (Juan Luís Guerra)
"Donde manda el amor" (Jatna Tavarez)
"Había una vez un merengue" (Sergio Vargas)

45. Most Outstanding Group Residing Abroad:
Jossie Esteban
Fulanito

46. Most Outstanding Foreign Group in DR:
Elvis Crespo
Jarabe de Palo
Grupo Niche
Maná

47. Most Outstanding Performing Group Abroad:
Sergio Vargas
Los Toros Band
Los Ilegales
Hermanos Rosario

48. Best Music Group:
Toros Band
Toño Rosario
Raffy Matías
Rubby Pérez
Eddy Herrera.

49. El Soberano
(Award given to the best performer in 1999)
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