METROPOLITAN
ILOILO
the first business newspaper in metro iloilo
TIMES
VOL. II ISSUE NO. 56
developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com
March 9 - 15, 2014 Php 12.00
2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - Feb 28 - March 6, 2014
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44.6640 Feb 28, 2014
Mar 2, 2014
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Mar 6, 2014
DTI PRICE MONITORING Prime Commodities (25 Oct 2013) Prime Commodities (25 Oct 2013)
CANNED SARDINES Current Price INSTANT NOODLES Current Price
Paradiso (155g) Young’s Town Bonus (155g) Lucky 7 (155g)
12.15 Lucky Me! (55g) 13.00 Payless (50g) 13.25
PROCESSED MILK Current Price
7.10 6.30 Current Price
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Alaska Sweetened Filled 49.50 Milk - Condensed 300 mL Pinoy Tasty (400g) Alaska Filled Milk 34.50 Pinoy Pandesal Evaporated 370 mL Angel Filled Milk Evaporated 410 mL
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Current Price
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260.00/kg 200.00/kg 120.00/kg 4.50/pc
COA GAINS TEETH
SIGNS OF SUMMER. Samantha Marie Montealegre Amparo, Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2011 enjoys her slice of watermelon. Photo by Reymar Latoza/ IMT
PH fails poverty target BY REYMAR LATOZA
The country’s 16.6 poverty rate target seems unreachable by 2015. National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Arsenio Balisacan said that it is already given that they are likely to miss out its 2015 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of reducing poverty to 16.6 percent. Based on the updated mediumterm Philippine Development Plan (PDP), the government raised its target to a range of 20 to 23 percent. The said figure is comparably lower than the 25.2 percent target drop of poverty rate in the country last year. “Substantially, bringing down poverty takes a long time as experiences of other countries have shown. In the case of the Philippines, there is the added challenge of geoclimatic shocks,” Balisacan said. Balisacan also revealed that the PH fails /p11
BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
The Commission on Audit (COA) has now the power to prosecute corrupt officials after the creation of the Prosecution and Litigation Office (PLO), which will stand as lawyer for auditors who are sued as well as work with the Ombudsman in dealing with corruption cases. Under COA Resolution 2014004, signed by COA Chairperson Ma. Gracia Pulido Tan and Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, the PLO will be PLACED under the COA’s Legal Services Sector.
The office will include twelve prosecutors to handle criminal, civil and administrative cases, six defense lawyers to defend auditors in lawsuit, six legal researchers, and three administrative assistants. “There is a need to create an office specifically tasked to assist in the prosecution and litigation of Ombudsman-COA Joint Investigation Team or JIT cases, those initiated by the COA against public officers and private individuals and cases involving audit actions,” the commissioners said. COA Gains /p11
Senator Cynthia Villar paid tribute to resilient Filipino women along with the celebration of the Women’s Month at Imus, Cavite.
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‘Empower farmers to keep agri sector moving’
BY REYMAR LATOZA Empowering local farmers is very important to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector, according to AgriNurture Vice President and General Manager AgriNurture encourages that major reforms in the agri sector should include empowering farmers in Larry Lacson. Lacson said in order to maximize their potentials. Commerce of the Philippines a report of BusinessMirror that senior advisor John Forbes said that microfinance sector should be Philippine. ‘will have to undertake included in the needed reforms more reforms in the agriculture sector in the agriculture program of the to spur growth and create jobs.’ government. Forbes added that ‘Agribusiness Microfinance sector would is a very important area for the allow farmers to get access to loans. Philippines internally, socially, He added that the area of politically and for employment’. crop insurance needs also a reform Meanwhile, Engineer Terence S. ‘to lessen the risk of those who are Uygongco, Vice Chairperson of Iloilo engaged in agribusinesses.’ ‘Empower farmers /p11 American Chamber of
ICC will beat deadline
BY MARY PAULINE BALMES
Mila’s Hill
20.00
Current Price
Gazebo
The multi-million peso Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) fast-tracks its construction to meet its target of completion by first quarter of 2015. Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said the state-of-the-art venue for conventions is ready to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit on October 2015 holding two ministerial meetings on transportation from October 8 to 10, and ‘food security with blue economy’ from October 15 to 17. Drilon said ICC will reflect the growth and direction of our developmental strategies, which include, among others, the goal to fully maximize the potential of the region as a regional tourism powerhouse. “When we invest in major development projects like the ICC, we also help to form an attractive tourism environment where the hosting of local or even international events and occasions will help bring in rich revenues for the local tourism industry, thus energizing our regional economies,” he added. The P700 million ICC’s construction is downloaded by Tourism Infrastructure
Enhancement Zone Authority (TIEZA), Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). An additional P200 million will be for the winning bidder that will The hard hat ceremony of the Iloilo Convention provide amenities Center (ICC) was led by Sen. Franklin Drilon and such as CCTV enjoined by DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, cameras, kitchen, Congressman Jerry Treñas, Mayor Jed Patrick furniture, air- Mabilog and other local officials. conditioning units, among others. ICC is designed by renowned of the City and Province of Iloilo Architect Willy Coscolluela who also but of the entire Western Visayas fabricated the Iloilo Provincial Capitol wit features highlighting the ‘Parao and the Iloilo City Hall. boats’ of Iloilo Paraw Regatta The ICC’s design speaks of the Festival and the ‘Ati’ of the worldmerger of the rich cultures not only class Dinagyang Festival.IMT
METRO NEWS
2
METRO
on the road
DOLE Some 9,950 poor but deserving students in Western Visayas are expected to benefit from the Special Program for the Employment of Students of DOLE 6 this year. The number is 1,507 over the 2013 beneficiaries numbering to 8,443. For 2014, DOLE 6 targets to provide some 1,300 poor young workers in the region with bridging employment under its Government Internship Program.PIA6
NNC The provincial government of Iloilo has increased its budget allocation for the nutrition program from P1 million to P2.5 million to cover barangay nutrition program, establishment of provincial nutrition office and reactivation of mun. Nutrition Action Officers.PIA6
CHED CHED-6 is advising high school graduating students aiming to enter college or the university to proceed cautiously in choosing degrees to avoid ending jobless because they took the wrong courses.PIA6
IPHO The Iloilo Provincial Health Office said that cases of malnutrition in the province declined from 8.56 percent in 2012 to 6.97 percent in 2013. The IPHO records showed that in 2012, there were 21,877 malnourished children aging six months to 71 months old but their number significantly dropped to 18,140 in 2013. PIA6
Dumangas port eyed for expansion BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN Aiming to make Dumangas port a premier port in the province in the next 10 years, Senate President Franklin Drilon has asked the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) to conduct a feasibility study on the future port expansion. Dumangas Port is now catering roll on-roll off vessels plying BacolodIloilo vice versa. Drilon said better port attracts better opportunity that is why he wants this port to be efficient on its operation. He also said Dumangas port is very buyable alternative next to Iloilo City commercial port that is
already silted and with poor access that could be difficult for expansion. “The study will help determine how far the port could accommodate the increases of port traffic and necessary development to equip the port with modern facilities needed for future plans”, he said. Drilon hinted the fund for the future port expansion will depend on the result of the feasibility study that will start this month and will be made available within six months. He stressed the fund may come from the PPA itself, official government fund or even foreign fund. Apart from feasibility study,
DENR Oplan SWIM complements ‘swimmable’ Iloilo BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 6 laid down their Oplan S.W.I.M or Sustainable Work plan for Iloilo River Management during the Iloilo River Development Council meeting attended by Senate President and Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon recently. DENR OIC-Chief, Forest Resources Development Division Danilo Lorilla said the work plan was conceived after the ‘swimmable’ Iloilo River plan and is a supplement to look for strategies that will attempt to correct or improve the water quality of Iloilo River. “Our goal is to have a comprehensive work plan to rehabilitate Iloilo River and its tributaries more particularly the Dungon and Calajunan creeks”, Lorilla explained. On the latest data gathered by DENR, Iloilo River and its tributaries did not pass the standard fecal and
total coliform level. Lorilla added that they have already identified the source of pollution, such as domestic wastes, public markets, small-scale piggeries and commercial areas. Ongoing and accomplished activities of the agency includes mangrove rehabilitation, organized clean-up drive, adapt an Estero Program, quarterly clean-up activities, crackdown of discharging establishments, cadastral survey of Calajunan and Dungon creek, and dredging of Iloilo River and its tributaries. Lorilla revealed they will use the tri-media in disseminating the information and campaign. He added that the short-term, medium-term and long-term plans of DENR for the river will cost around P45 million. Drilon assured the agency and the city government that the amount is manageable and asked the environment agency to prioritize the project so it can start soon. IMT
CHED wants simple graduation rites
PhilHealth PhilHealth has designated Ms. Lourdes F. Diocson, Chief of Field Operations Division as Officer-in-Charge of its regional office in Western Visayas following the promotion and transfer of Region 6 Regional Vice President Dr. Dennis Mas to PhilHealth Regional Office-National Capital Region effective March 3, 2014. PIA6
DOT DOT-6 plans to hold an Investment and Tourism Sales Mission, including seminars to be held in Malaysia and Singapore; the Fiesta at the Luneta, which is a two-week presentation travel, fair, and festival showcase at the Luneta Park in Manila. PIA6
CSC The Civil Service Commission-6 has assured those government agencies that have failed or not performing well according to the ARTA, of assistance in improving their performance.PIA6
March 9 - 15, 2014
CHED urges universities and colleges to observe austerity measures in holding graduation rites for their students. BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN Under the memorandum, Casiple More than 40,000 college added that graduating students students in Western Visayas will march should not be required to attend the for graduation this year, revealed by ceremonies in special or ostentatious the Commission on Higher Education attires, nor should they require 6 (CHED-6). students to pay for contributions and/ With this, the commission or purchase expensive memorabilia. reiterates both private and public He also said that HEIs must higher education institutions (HEIs) not require students to submit nonin the region to observe austerity academic projects as requirement for measures in holding graduation rites. graduation and should not also require “The commission is reminding students to pay excessive contributions the HEIs to keep their graduation for the yearbook and other related ceremonies simple, solemn and free items without consultations. from politics”, said CHED-6 officerCasiple stressed that they urged in-charge Dr. Rex Casiple. school institutions to comply with the Casiple’s statement was supported guidelines to refrain from conducting with the Administrative Order 103 graduation rites in extraordinary dated March 31, 2004, “Directing and luxurious venues like hotels and Continued Adoption of Austerity restaurants. Measures in the Government”, and in Casiple admitted that in previous consideration of the present economic years, they received complaints from difficulties of most graduating students several students and parents regarding especially in the areas devastated by surprising graduation contributions natural calamities, thus, the HEIs shall from their schools. hold austere graduation rites. “Not all students could afford “Colleges and universities must expensive contribution that’s why we not host graduation rites in expensive come up with this announcement venues”, he emphasized. earlier,” he ended. IMT
Senate President Franklin Drilon visited Dumangas port with Gov. Arthur Defensor, Dumangas Mayor Rolly Distura, Phil. Ports Authority general manager Juan Sta. Ana, and DPWH-6 regional director Edilberto Tayao. Photo credits to the owner
Drilon said the PPA has set aside P180 million for the port development that includes construction of reclamation of back-up area with 2-unit RoRo ramp, construction of breasting dolphins and extension of RC pier. “This present fund is independent from the fund needed for whatever the result of the feasibility study”, he said. Meanwhile, Dumangas Mayor Rolando Distura thanked the senate president for the project he is about to bring to his town. Distura however mentioned that despite of the proposed development, he will not stop reviewing the “compromise agreement” between the Municipality of Dumangas and the PPA over the operation of the port. The mayor decided to look into the agreement after learning that only
a minimal percentage of the port’s income goes to the town. Distura said that since the port started operating in 2007, it earns P43,685 per day or P15. 7 million a year from seven vessels owned by shipping companies TriStar, Montenegro and Millennium. In the past three years, however, only P100,000 has reportedly been remitted to the municipal treasurer’s office, the mayor said. “The share they gave to the municipality could not compensate the situation we are suffering and experiencing right now particularly the damages on provincial and municipal roads, traffic accidents and even the perception of the public that the port is made to be the entry point for illegal drugs,” Distura added. IMT
BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN Home sweet home. Finally, the 80 families living within the 20-meter radius from oil spill affected site in Brgy. Botongon, Estancia, Iloilo who sought temporary shelter at the evacuation center of Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NSPC) have started returning to their homes. This was announced by no less than Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. after the Task Force Power Barge 103 has already advised residents to go back to their respective homes after they were advised of ‘no entry’ within the 20-meter radius from the site while clean-up operation is ongoing last month to prevent further health complications. Defensor, however, said those homeless families could still remain at the center while bunkhouses in Brgy. Gogo, also of the said town, are pending for construction by the Department of Public Works and Highways 6 (DPWH-6). The task force is a group formed by the provincial government to monitor the cleanup operations along
shorelines of Estancia and other neighboring towns affected by the oil spill. The task force is composed of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and province’s oil spill consultant Dr. Rex Sadaba. The governor stressed the cleanup contractor Kuan Yu Global Technologies has assured them to totally clean up the oil spill soonest possible. Despite of the contractor’s effort, however, Defensor said they will be filing cases against the contractor due to the delayed and damages they have caused. It may be noted that around 200, 000 liters of bunker fuel was spilled into the sea after it leaked from the punctured hull of Power Barge 103, owned by Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) when typhoon Yolanda hit Western Visayas particularly northern Iloilo on November 8, 2013. The barge contains some 1.4 million liters of bunker fuel. IMT
Estancia evacuees return home, Kuan Yu face charges
Estante in, de la Cruz out
BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN A market supervisor of City’s Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) was relieved from his post to prevent intervention into the ongoing investigation and inspection of the seven public markets here. On Monday last week, Memorandum Order No. 47 Series of 2014 was signed by City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog ordering the relief of Market Supervisor Vincent de la Cruz then, temporarily reassigning him at the mayor’s office. Immediately, City Administrator Norlito Bautista replaced de la Cruz as LEEO officer-in-charge while executive assistant and former city councilor Ely Estante was appointed as the LEEO point person. Prior to the relief of de la Cruz, Mabilog created a market committee
to inspect the operation of the markets and make it viable, profitable and conducive for customers. The committee is composed of the city mayor as chairman with Bautista as his representative, city councilor Rodel Agado as committee chairman on Market and Slaughterhouse, Estante, city legal officer Atty. Dan Dinopol and city treasurer Katherine Tingson. Bautista said after their inspection at the terminal market, unrenewed stalls will be given 10 days to renew their stalls while those sublease vendors are also given a chance to apply for new contract if there are vacant stalls. Under the Iloilo City Market and Slaughterhouse Code of 2009, Bautista said each awardee is given 5-year contract but renewable every year. IMT
March 9 - 15, 2014
METRO BUSINESS
3
INJAP AMONG PH’S 50 RICHEST
BY REYMAR LATOZA
Ilonggo entrepreneur Edgar Sia II ranked 39th in the 2014 list of Philippines’ 50 Richest released by Forbes, a world’s leading source for reliable business news and financial information. The 37-year-old iconic ‘Mang Inasal’ founder earned a net worth $210 million. Sia is the founder of the Mang Inasal food chain. He serves as Chief Executive Officer of Injap Investments, Inc., Injap Land Corporation (DoubleDragon Properties Corp)and People’s Hotel Corporation. Mr. Sia has been Board Advisor of Philippine Bank of Communications Inc. since August 29, 2012 and served as its Director from July 26, 2011 to August 29, 2012. He serves as Chairman of Injap Investments, Inc., Injap Land Corporation and People’s Hotel Corporation. He serves as Director of Jollibee. Other Filipinos in the FORBES BILLIONAIRES LIST 2014 are Henry Sy Sr. , 89, net worth of $13.2 billion (SM Investments Corporation) on top 97; Lucio Tan, 79, net worth of $6.1 billion (Asia Brewery and Philip Moris Fortune Tobacco on top 227; Andrew Tan, 61, net worth of $4.7 billion (Alliance Global Group: Emperador Distillers, Megaworld and Travellers International) on top 319; Enrique Razon Jr., 54, net worth
$4.2B (port: ICTSI, and casino: Bloomberry Resorts) at number 354; John Gokongwei Jr., 86, net $3.9B (real estate: Robinsons Land, food manufacturing: URC, and airline: Cebu Pacific) at number 388; David Consunji, 92, $3.3B (construction, power and mining: DMCI Holdings) at number 483; George Ty, 81, $2.3B (banking: Metrobank, and
power: Global Business Power) at number 764; Tony Tan Caktiong, 61, $1.7B (fast food: Jollibee) at number 1046; Robert Coyiuto Jr., 61, $1.5B (insurance: Prudential Guarantee, and car distribution: PGA Cars) on top 1154; Andrew Gotianun, 86, $1B (real estate: Filinvest Development) on top 1565 (with reports from Business Mirror). IMT
DOT to conduct food safety seminar for street vendors
Edgar Sia II, founder of Mang Inasal
The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas will conduct a free seminar dubbed “Street Food Kulinarya” focusing on food safety and handling slated on March 10 to 11, 2014. Lawyer Helen Catalbas, DOT6 Regional Director, said that the seminar aims to train numerous street food vendors occupying the pavement and sidewalks in Iloilo City on food safety and handling. “This endeavor is in support of the Iloilo City’s pedestrianization program which allows people to walk on the road stretch to enjoy the many heritage buildings of the City Proper along Calle Real,” said Catalbas. She added that the seminar will also highlight Ilonggo delicacies
Why most people don’t feel economic growth?
Despite economic growth, many Filipinos seem to be not confident that their lives will also prosper. Photo by Jonathan Jurilla BY REYMAR LATOZA business abroad. Thailand took For the people to feel the In a smaller scale, Bacal further 20 to 50 years country’s economic growth, they said that economic growth happens to substantially should be taught of at least the basic when a farmer for example posted an bring down their concepts of economics, according increase of its production from the poverty numbers. to the National Economic and previous one. Rappler, Development Authority (NEDA) 6. “If the production is increasing, a social news Ro-Ann Bacal, regional director the revenue is also growing” she said. network, reported of NEDA-6 said most people This is where the issue of social that the 2013 misinterpret the economic growth inequality or the gap between rich study of the Asian because they either got the wrong and poor also comes in, according D e v e l o p m e n t idea about it or they don’t understand to National Statistical Coordination Bank (ADB) it at all. Board (NSCB) Secretary General Jose and the National Bacal explained economic growth Ramon Albert. University of means more products are produced People from the high-income class Singapore says which results to the increase of gross with bigger capitals can have bigger that GDP growth domestic product (GDP) and not investments and it will create bigger alone cannot directly on the amount of food added income for them. solve problems on the plate of almost 100 million This is one of the main reasons in education and Filipinos. why rich people are likely to feel the health; attention Dr. Alvin Ang, Professor of economic growth than those people in must be given to Economics in University of Santo the middle-income and low-income skills development, Tomas and the President of Philippine classes. quality education, Economic Society on the other hand National Economic and e m p l o y m e n t said misconception often occurs Development Authority (NEDA) o p p o r t u n i t i e s , because people lack the knowledge to director general Arsenio Balisacan said and incentives comprehend and evaluate economic the Aquino administration learned for small- and issues. from the first 3 years of the Philippine m e d i u m GDP refers to the total value of Development Plans (PDP’s) that enterprises. goods and services produced inside economic growth is not sufficient to Education and the country for a particular period of reduce poverty. health are among time. While gross national product Balisacan added that it will take the vital factors (GNP) is the total GDP and the at least 10 years for the government considered to reduce income recorded from abroad either to achieve sustainable and inclusive poverty incidence by overseas Filipino workers (OFW’s) growth. and jobless rate in or Filipino-owned corporations doing He said Indonesia, China and the country.IMT
Lower ATM withdrawal answers frauds
BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
Banks in the country deliberate to lower daily withdrawal limit in automated teller machines (ATMs). On a senate hearing, BancNet vice president for operations Rene Natividad revealed that this is one of the steps banks considers to reduce the chance for their depositors to fall as a victim of syndicates. Natividad said that fraudsters usually do their ‘businesses’ at night, recognizing the bank limits at midnight. “They know that at 12 midnight, the bank limit will change. So let’s say a bank has P20,000 withdrawal limit for a day. If I go there and I have a cloned card, I can do a transaction at 11:30 pm. I will withdraw P20,000. After midnight, I can do another P20,000 so if the bank allows more limit, there is a higher exposure. However, Natividad clarified that to cater to both local and foreign tourists traversing Calle Real. The seminar includes lectures on Kulinarya Program, Sanitation Permits and other concerns such as Health Certificates and Sanitation Standards, I l o i l o Street Food Festival, Inventory of dishes/ sellers, Food Safety and Handling, a n d Budgeting a n d Business and handson cooking
the move is just a warning and will depend on the initiative of individual banks. “This is still being studied. Even if they set a limit, the client can request for an increase in limit. That can be done, an individual request,” he said. On the other hand, a local banking expert said that instead of lowering the withdrawal limit, banks should improve ATM card security, implement stiffer punishment, and intensify public awareness. “Sometimes, we Filipinos should be pro-active”, the banking expert said. Banks noticed that the number of ATM fraud cases lessen after implementing preventive measures. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) records 1,600 ATM frauds in 2012 and 1,272 in 2013 amounting to P175-million and P220-million, respectively.IMT demo per product, food presentation, food service, and table setting workshop. Catalbas mentioned the seminar is a first in Iloilo City and is necessary to ensure safety of street foods.PIA6
METRO ROUND-UP
4
March 9 - 15, 2014
25 MAYORS ‘NO OBJECTION’ OVER JALAUR PROJECT
BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN
Calinog Mayor Alex Centena together with twenty two other town executives and two city mayors in Iloilo will come up with a resolution of no objection over the P 11.2 billion Jalaur Multi-Purpose Project II in Calinog to counter the writ of kalikasan issued by the Supreme Court (SC) last year. The 22 local executives are from Lambunao, Badiangan, Janiuay, Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara, Pavia, Alimodian, Leon, San Miguel, Oton, Tigbauan, Duenas, San Enrique, Anilao, Dingle, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Mina, New Lucena, Pototan, Zarraga, Leganes and two cities of Iloilo and Passi. Centena said all these mayors met
last March 4 at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol and decided to come up with the resolution that will be furnished to the SC. Once finished, the project will help regulate and control floods caused by the Jalaur River and irrigate agricultural lands in the Jalaur Valley. It is also expected to generate electric power for public use. Earlier, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. said the writ of kalikasan issued by the SC against the construction of Jalaur project does not stop the work because the court did not issue any temporary environment protection order. “The SC did not issue a temporary environmental protection order as
requested by former 2nd district Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco, so this could not stop the work there. The work could only be stopped if there is an order”, the governor said. Defensor said the actual work as of now is the clearing of site and other detailed engineering works. “Syjuco only wanted to revenge against Sen. Franklin Drilon. He is not even thinking of his people but only his personal interest”, he said. The writ, issued by Acting Chief Justice Presbitero Velasco, Jr., was in favor of the petition for continuing mandamus and writ of kalikasan lodged by Syjuco against the said project claiming that this would affect 17,000 residents from 25 villages.IMT
Iloilo. Jardeleza said these fire brigades owned by private individuals and voluntarily rendering help to the community without asking any compensation. Apart from this, the BFP urged fire prone barangays to have their ‘standpipe system’ to be used in case of fire. Standpipe system are series of pipe, which connect a water supply to hose connections, they are designed to provide a pre-piped water system for building occupants or the fire department. In Iloilo City, five barangays here have existing standpipe system, out of 110 identified fire prone barangays.
These are barangays of Sta. Cruz and San Jose in Arevalo district, Tabuc Suba in Jaro district, San Antonio in Molo district and Punong in La Paz district here. Jardeleza said that this system is very important for the easily delivery of water supplies towards narrow area in case of fire and especially when the BFP trucks could not penetrate inside the fire area. “All we have to do is to attach our hose to this standpipe for fire fighting,” said. March is considered as fire prevention month. This year’s theme dubbed “Isulong ang Kaunlaran, Sunog ay Iwasan, Kaalaman at Pag-iingat ang Kailangan”. IMT
BFP-6 organizes barangay fire volunteers
BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The Bureau of Fire Protection 6 (BFP) is now organizing barangay fire volunteer groups in Western Visayas. BFP- 6 Public Information Section Head Inspector Stephen Jardeleza said these barangay fire volunteers will act as first responders in case of fire incident. Also, Jardeleza said these barangay volunteers will augment volunteer fire brigades that are assisting the bureaus every time there is a fire concern. Presently, there are 29 organized fire brigades in the region. Of the number, 11 in Negros Occidental, five in Capiz, three in Aklan and two each for Antique, Capiz, Iloilo and cities of Roxas, Bacolod and
There is a public perception that eating soybeans can increase the risk of gout and can potentially trigger acute attacks for those already suffering from the disease. Most people believed this because beans are high in protein, concluding that consumption of high protein leads to high uric acid in the blood leading to gout. “This is not true as revealed by numerous scientific studies,” said Elmer E. Enicola, researcher from the Institute of Plant Breeding, University of the Philippines Los Baños (IPBUPLB) in a seminar on soybeans organized by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) on January 29, 2014. Enicola is not a medical practitioner and, as mentioned earlier in his presentation, the seminar aims mainly to inform the public by presenting the latest studies on soybean consumption. “I’m very interested in this topic since conventional wisdom can limit bean consumption in the country,” he added. He presented “Soybeans and Gout” as a public seminar to correct one of the most known anecdotes attributed to eating soybean and soy-based foods. He described how gout develops in the human body, which is likely to occur when there is excess uric acid in the blood. The uric acid builds up in the fluid around the joints leading to the formation of uric acid crystals which may cause the joint to swell and become inflamed. Gout is also known as “podagra” when it involves the big toe. Enicola discussed that gout can be acute or chronic. “It’s acute if only one or a few joints are affected, mostly like it’s either the big toe, knee, or ankle joints. It becomes chronic when there are repeated episodes of pain and
In a three-page resolution, the high court said it found the petition of Syjuco as “sufficient in form and substance.” The SC ordered respondents Sen. Drilon, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agriculture (DA), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR) to submit their comment on the petition for a period of 10 days. A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy which provides for the protection of one’s right to “a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature,” as provided for in Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. IMT
Wanted: MIWD general manager BY MONTESA CAOYONAN The Metro Iloilo Water District’s Board of Directors (BoD) is now looking for a capable general manager to efficiently manage the water district after the position is now vacant. This after Engr. Le Jayme Jalbuena was terminated from his post on February 28 by the newly-reinstated BoD for loss of trust and confidence. The newly-reinstated BoD are Danilo Encarnacion, Sergio Gonzales, Engr. Adrian Moncada and accountant Bernadette Castellano. Meanwhile, Josephine Beata Abad-Caram has replaced Celso Javelosa whose fouryear term ended last month. Immediately, the BoD has installed Engr. Edgar Calasara as the MIWD officer-in-charge replacing Jalbuena who was already suspended prior to his termination. Reinstated MIWD Corporate
Secretary Atty. Hans Sayno said the BoD has lost its trust and confidence over Jalbuena’s management thus the main ground of his termination. The decision of the board stemmed from the recent ruling of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) central office recalling Jalbuena’s appointment. The BoD also ordered the Human Resource department to facilitate the nomination of individuals for the said position. IMT
hyperuricemia were looked into, it showed that the “intake of soy products (bean curd/tofu, fried bean curd, vegetarian chicken, and bean curd cake and soy milk) was associated with lower risk of hyperuricemia.” Also, it was reported that seafood intake (fish and shellfish combined) was associated with higher prevalence of hyperuricemia. With these significant findings, Enicola enjoined the public to watch
what they eat and modify certain dietary consumptions to include eating “purine-rich” vegetable food from plants like soybean. He also encouraged the public to limit the intake of high purine foods, most of which come from animal source (red meat and liver), and include legumes (including soyfoods) in the daily diet. BAR, being the focal agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the Soybean R&D Program, is consistent in its promotion of the healthful benefits of soybean and their impact on the soybean industry in the country. Currently, the bureau is supporting the implementation of various soybean projects (production and processing) to further boost the industry and make the public aware of the benefits of eating soybean. gov.ph
The city council here is amenable to a proposed ordinance renaming the La Paz Maternity and Reproductive Health Center into a full-fledged Iloilo City Maternity and Reproductive Health Hospital. However, city councilor Lyndon Acap said there are certain requirements of the Department of Health which need to be complied with before the center is upgraded into a city hospital. Acap, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on health, sanitation and hospital services, said the center is currently being reconstructed by the city government and the workforce composed of doctors, nurses and midwives have transferred temporarily to the city hospital annex at the Western Visayas Medical Center since
last year. Construction of the maternity hospital is expected to be completed within 2014 so that full operation starts as a reproductive health hospital specializing in child and maternal health, birthing, new born screening and other maternal and child health services, among others. In his committee report as the second and final reading to the city council, Acap stressed that primary health care requirements of the DOH must be complied with before full hospital operation status. The city has funds of P25 million for the center upgrading. Also, equipment donations from the DOH and other private donors are forthcoming. (PNA) LAP/AJP/ LCPENDON/VLO
Eating soybean does not increase risk of gout – studies
inflammation and that more than one joint is affected leading to damage and loss of joint motion,” Enicola said. In the presentation, he explained how gout may be a consequence of high uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is the waste product from the metabolism of purines. What then are purines? Where do they come from? “Some purines are made by the body itself since purines are part of the chemistry of the human body. But aside from that, purines can also come from the food we eat,” Enicola said. Among the foods that were categorized with high levels of purines and are best to avoid are: liver, kidney, anchovies, sardines, mussels, bacon, scallops, and beer. Purines from the body and those from the food that we consume form the uric acid in the blood. This eventually builds up in the joints only if the body cannot keep up with excreting out the uric acid. “But this does not immediately result to gout as this requires triggers that build up uric acid in the blood,” Enicola said. Prior studies show that eating legumes are not associated with gout, even if some legumes have low to moderate levels of purines like stringbean, chickpea, and mungbean; and soy food such as tofu. This is because the purine content of legumes is not as high as those coming from animal-based foods. “Results of some of the most recent studies and even existing data show that there is no reason why the public, with or without gout, should
avoid eating soybeans and soy-based foods when in fact, they provide plentiful amounts of high-quality protein,” Enicola added. Enicola presented several scientific studies to support the claim that intake of purines from animal sources increases the risk of gout. In a 2004 study, “Purine-Rich Foods, Dairy and Protein Intake, and the Risk of Gout in Men”, the results reveal that higher levels of meat and seafood consumption are the ones associated with increased risk of gout. Meanwhile, moderate intake of purine-rich vegetables or protein is not associated with increased risk of gout. Another study in 2005, “Intake of Purine-Rich Foods, Protein, and Dairy Products and Relationship to Serum Levels of Uric Acid,” found that higher levels of meat and seafood consumption are associated with higher serum levels of uric acid. In a more recent study in 2012, wherein purine-rich foods, protein intake, and the prevalence of
Maternity clinic up as city reproductive health hospital
REGION VI
Aklan • Antique • Capiz • Guimaras • Iloilo • Negros Occidental Iloilo City • Bacolod City
TOP “MUST-EXPERIENCE” TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Aklan
Sta. Monica Church, Panay, Capiz
Piña Weaving, Aklan
Capiz
Tel. No.: (+63 36) 621 004 Telefax No.: (+63 36)2 local 133 621 2935 Email: capiz.tourism@ yah Website: www.capiz.oo.com gov.ph
1. Baybay Beach, Roxas City 2. Sta. Monica Ch urch, Museum and Bell, Panay 3. Agtalin Shrine, Dulangan, Pilar 4. Suhot Cave an d Spring, Dumalag 5. River Tours (P anay, Cadimahan, Pa lina) Roxas City 6. Hinulugan Falls , Pilar 7. Basiao Beach, Ivisan 8. Our Lady of Lo urdes Grotto Medita tion Hills, Maninang , Sa pian 9. CAPIZtahan (F oundation Day Commemoration of th e Ci Capiz, 2nd week of Ap vil Government of ril) and Sinadya sa Halaran (1st week of Decembe r)
Guimaras
ihan Festival 1. Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-At (3rd weekend of January) 2. Boracay Island, Malay galan 3. Jawili Falls, Jawili, Tan an, Malay un tip Ka ve, 4. Pangihan Ca Buruanga 5. Ariel’s Point, Alegria, cion, Balete bla Po 6. Basura Garden, gtong BatoBu , jay 7. Katunggan it Iba jay Naisud, Iba ry (La Herminia, 8. Piña Weaving Indust Dela Cruz Heritage Arts and Crafts, House of Piña) rden, New 9. Aklan Sampaguita Ga Washington
Antique
1. Caluya Group of Islands, Caluya 2. Bugang River & Malumpati Cold Spring (from Brgy. Guia to Brgy. Sto. Rosario and ends in Brgy. Zaldivar, Pandan) 3. Igpasungaw Falls, Igpasungaw, Seba ste, Antique 4. Malalison Island, Culasi 5. Bagtason Patadyong Weaving, Bagt ason, Bugasong 6. Aningalan, San Remigio 7. Binirayan Festival, San Jose (Last week of December) 8. Nogas Island, Anini-y 9. Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park, Tibi ao
-1134 Tel. No.: (+63 33) 237 -1111 Fax No.: (+63 33) 237o.com rism@yaho Email: guimarastou uimaras.gov.ph Website: www.g
l (3rd week of April) Manggahan Festiva od Friday) laan Bukid (Every Go Ang Pagtaltal sa Ba s tery, Jordan, Guimara Old Trappist Monas imaras Gu , cia eas, Nueva Valen Alubihod Beach Ar rm and Fa rs de uit (Guimaras Won nter in Ce t Agri-Tourism Circ en m lop search and Deve Re go an M l na tio Na , SEAFDEC Farm in San Lorenzo Jordan, Sebario Salt in Nueva Aqua-Culture Farm Marine Reserve and ) Orchard in Sibunag Valencia, Southern aras Shrine, Jordan, Guim 6. Bala-an Bukid s ara im Gu a, a, Buenavist 7. Roca Encantad aras im Gu , ills, San Lorenzo 8. Holy Family H cia Guimaras len Va Tour, Nueva, oEc g wi ala M ba 9. Su
Tel. No.: (+63 33) 540 7110 Email: antique_philippines@yahoo.com Website: www.antique.gov.ph
Igpasungaw Falls, S
ebaste, Antique
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Iloilo Golf and Country Club, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
The Ruins, Talisay City, Negros Occiden tal
3 34) 433-2515 Telefax No.: (+6 cc@yahoo.com ego _n rism tou ail: Em cc.gov.ph ourism.negros-o Website: www.t
Negros ntal Occide
Tel. No.: (+63 36) 262 4692 8033 Telefax No.: (+63 36) 268 .ph o.com Email: aklantourism@yaho n.gov.ph Website: www.akla
n trail), ia the Guintubda (v on la an K t. 1. M La Carlota City uins, Talisay s, Silay and the R se ou H al tr es nc 2. A ort, Murcia Mambukal Res of s ng ri Sp ur 3. Sulf ve sites, Sipalay beaches and di , 4. White sand Marine Reser ve at Carbin Reef 5. Snorkeling Sagay City erve, Cauayan land Marine Res 6. Danjugan Is rias, Bacolod f Courses, Victo ol G e ol -h 18 7. ) and Murcia nd week of April egros Festival (2 N sa ad na Pa 8. Benedicto; y, Don Salvador 9. R apha Valle , Victorias City; May ’s Organic Peñalosa Farm d City Garden, Bacolo
Iloilo
Guimaras Mangoes
Telefax No.: (+63 33) 338 4910 Email: iloiloprovincialtourism@gmail.com Website: www.iloilo.gov.ph
1. Heritage Churches of Southern and Central Iloilo (Leon, Pavia, Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao and San Joaquin Chruches) 2. Coral gardens of San Joaquin, Banate, Concepcion, and Carles 3. Carabao-Carroza Festival, Pavia (3rd of May) 4. Weaving, pottery, metalcraft, bamboocraft, bobbin lace making, and food industries, Southern and Central portion of the province 5. Hiking, spelunking, and mountain biking in Alimodian, Dingle, Passi City Igbaras, and Leon 6. Waterfalls of Lambunao, Alimodian, and Igbaras 7. Iloilo Golf and Countr y Club, Sta. Barbara 8. Island hopping in Concepcion, Ajuy and Carles 9. Resort hopping in Southern, Central, and Northern Iloilo
Bacolod City
Tel. No.: (+63 34) 434 6751 Telefax. No.: (+63 34) 708 3066 Email: bacolodcitytourismoffice@gmail.com Website: www.bacolodcity.gov.ph
Iloilo City
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Tel. No.: (+63 33) 333 1111 loc. 512 Telefax No.: 336 Email: benitojimena@yaho 3439 o.com Website: www.iloilocity.gov. ph
City Gallery, Iloilo City Ha ll, Plaza Libertad Complex Calle Real Museo Iloilo, Bonifacio Dr ive 19th centur y Casa Mariq uit, Santa Isabel Street, Jar o Hablon weaving at the Sin amay House in Osmena Street, Arevalo and barqu illos makers at Deocamp o’s in Santa Isabel Street, Jaro 6. Magnificent churches ( Jaro Metropolitan Cathe dral in E. Lopez Street, Jaro; San ta Ana Parish Church in Molo; Santo Nino de Areval o Parish Church in Villa, Arevalo; Iglesia de San Jos e de Placer in Calasanz Street, City Proper; and ma ny more). 7. Ilonggo’s seafoods and rich cuisine at Tatoy’s Manokan and Breakthrough Restaurant in Arevalo 8. Iloilo River Esplanade , Benigno Aquino, Jr. Avenu e 9. Iloilo Dinagyang Fes tival (every fourth Sunday of January) and Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival at Villa Beach (every third Sunday of February)
Bacolod City Government Center
1. MassKara Festival (3rd week of October) and Bacolaodiat Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) 2. Bacolod City Government Center, Carlos Hilado Circumferential Road 3. Negros Museum, Gatuslao St. 4. Negros Forest Ecological and Biodiversity Foundation, South Capitol Road 5. Bacolod Public Plaza and Bandstand 6. San Sebastian Cathedral and Bishop Palace, Rizal St. 7. Barangay Sang Birhen Chappel, Sta. Clara Subdivision 8. Panaad Park and Stadium, Brgy. Mansilingan 9. Pope John Paul II Tower (PJPII), Rizal Extn., BREDCO
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM - REGION VI (WESTERN VISAYAS)
Capitol Grounds, Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City, Philippines Tel. Nos.: (+63 33) 337-5411 (Information) / 509-3550 (Accounting) / 503-2705 (Accreditation) Telefax: (+63 33) 335-0245 Email: deptour6@mozcom.com Websites: http://www.westernvisayastourism.com.ph http://www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com
Iloilo Dinagyang Festival
6
METRO OPINION
EDITORIAL
Constitutional amendments and the singer O
n March 3, 2014 the house committee on constitutional amendments passed on first reading the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 1 filed by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte in July 2013 during the opening of the 16th Congress which will lead the way to the amendment of the Philippine Constitution particularly on its economic provision of providing for the 60-40 rule that limits foreign ownership in certain industries. Belmonte argues that the amendment will provide for the needed inclusive growth of the economy and strategically position the Philippines amid the growing global interest in Asia. If realized, the greater amount of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) will empower the economy, create more jobs thus eventually eradicate poverty. The increased FDI will energize the bloodstreams of the country’s economic activities. However, Solita Monsod, a noted economist believes otherwise. She contends that historical data would show that in developed countries like Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore the FDI is less than 10 percent of its Gross Domestic Investments. She noted that on a macro-perspective the causality between FDI and higher income is not established. It is not clear if a higher FDI creates robust economic growth and higher income or it is the higher income and concrete economic growth that invites FDI. Monsod added that the World Investment Report has listed adequate infrastructure, skills level,quality of the general regulatory framework, clear rules of the game and fiscal determination are but a few factors that affect the amount of FDI that goes into a country. There goes another question of chicken and egg. Is it a change in the rules of the game in which case a charter ammendment is justified or is it simply putting up a sufficient and competent playing field where the physical infrastructure, human resources, monetary and regulation policies are clear that will invite bigger FDIs? Which must come first? History may be proven wrong as the global divide has faded to dust and open market is now the game. And so must the Philippines open itself to bigger compromises and changes. Yet, the same question remains, is it really the policy or the people that is so wrong in the Philippine setting? In October 2013, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported the net FDI improved to $254 million from $153 million of the same period in 2012. The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) however cannot explain why despite the positive economic growth indicators, poverty is still high at 23 percent. Congress can have all the amendments needed to attune the Constitution to the call of times, but with the same people running the show, it still would be nothing more but personal interests and intentions. As they say, it is the singer and not the song.
WHITE SPACES
I
t was instinctive. I reached out for the tablet as the thought lingers in my head for a moment, planning to look it up on the net before it slips away in my semi-conscious mind. The thought entered my mind in its half-asleep state, wiggled in, connected to what I was concocting the other day as the last piece of the puzzle for a project. I need to check it on the net and learn the feasibility of it in the over-all scheme of the project I am planning for some days now. But, Lo! there is no internet connection at this unholy hour of 2 AM. It is instinctive to check everything on the net these days. It is the go-to place for those who has a thousand question about everything and only the availability
of the internet connection limit us from finding the answers. Despite the proliferation of wifi hotspots, the majority of us do not have access to the internet. The telcos’ offer of internet bundles provides access but at a price, eventually costing us more than how much we want to pay for the same service. Post paid unlimited internet are also not totally ‘unlimited’ because of the daily and monthly data caps on usage as provided in the telcos’ Fair Use Policy. How we wish to have access to the internet just like we have access to our favourite soap operas on tv. With a click of a button we will have access and mind you, if you have a smart tv you can surf the net too with just your outdoor aerial tv antenna. Sounds far out and impossible? Not so with the move of the US and Britain to utilize tv white spaces as a vehicle
LENT A
sh Wednesday – which was last We d n e s d a y – started the forty-day season of Lent celebrated by Catholics around the world, with blessed ashes placed on their foreheads. Catholics celebrate the season with fasting and abstinence. Some thoughts from great saints may be beneficial for reflection this season, not only for catholics but also for noncatholics; not only for religious persons, but also for secular ones; not only for those who believe, but also for those who don’t; not only for the generous, but also for the greedy. May their message strike, at least, some part of our minds, some part of our hearts, for whatever its worth. St. Peter Chrysologus who was known for his short and inspired talks shared: “There are three things, my brethren, which cause faith to stand firm, devotion constant, and virtue endure. They are prayer, fasting and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer, fasting and mercy: these three are one, and they give life to each other. “Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. Let no one try to separate them; they cannot be separated. If you have only one of them or not all together, you have nothing. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others….
“If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give. If you ask for yourself what you deny to others, you are asking is a mockery. “Let this be a pattern for all men when they practice mercy: show mercy to others in the same way, with the same generosity, with the same promptness, as you want others to show mercy to you.” For his part, St. Leo the Great who incessantly worked for the universal reception of faith said, “The faithful should enter into themselves and make a true judgment on their attitudes of mind and heart….If God is love, charity should know no limit, for God cannot be confined. “Any time is the right time for works of charity, but these days of Lent provide a special encouragement. Those who want to be present at the Lord’s Passover in holiness of mind and body should seek above all to win this grace, for charity contains all other virtues and covers a multitude of sins. “Let us now extend to the poor and those afflicted in different ways a more openhanded generosity…. “In these acts of giving do not fear a lack of means. A generous spirit is itself a great wealth…. “The giver of alms should be free from anxiety and full of joy. His gain will be greatest when he keeps back least for himself…. “ No one should fear to suffer for the sake of justice; no one should lose confidence in the
March 9 - 15, 2014
to provide internet access where fiber optic cables are too expensive to reach. Bohol in the Philippines is presently the pilot area for the technology which is being studied and tested by the government with foreign technology firms. The TV white spaces are the blank channels in your tv that shows only grainy, rainy static. Since we only have a few freeto-air tv stations broadcasting in the spectrum there are a lot of channels that are considered white spaces and may be utilized for the very purpose. The bandwidth of these tv white spaces can be calibrated to carry internet signals over mountainous areas, wide plains and forests which would be very difficult if fiber optic cables are laid down and too expensive if cell sites with 3G internet is used. A single transmitter can send signals miles in all directions in
all terrain and conditions, cutting cost and widening the reach. Cellular phone transmitters or cell sites as they are called can send signals of up to ten kilometres circumference. A tv transmitter can send farther than that with broader spectrum, less cost and deep penetration in rural and wide expanse areas. In the near future, having internet access would just as easy as turning the tv on. In our country, being archipelagic in nature, this is beneficial. We cannot deny that the internet is one of the main factors of growth in an area and utilizing white spaces can improve the economy, increase tourism, open opportunities, reach marginalized sectors of society and improve interactions which may be vital to growth. Here is to hoping we attain ‘white space age’ in the near future.
reward that has been promised. The way to rest is through toil, the way to life is through death…. “Dearly beloved, let us then acknowledge what St. Paul, the teacher of the nations, acknowledged so exultantly: This is a saying worthy of trust, worthy of complete acceptance: Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners. “God’s compassion for us is all the more wonderful because Christ died, not for the righteous or the holy but for the wicked and the sinful….” Saint Augustine has something to say, “Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We progress by means of trial. No one knows himself except through trial, or receives a crown except after victory….” This season, indeed, brings us back to ourselves, to be in touch with the reality of ourselves. No matter how superficial our religious practices may seem, there are deeper meanings into them. And it is really worth some of our time for reflection. For whether we like it or not, time flies, and our life was only “lent” for a while. **** OTHER THOUGHTS TO PONDER: My chess buddy and friend, Mr. Pet Olaguer – who loves music as a song writer and composer - wrote me to share with the readers of this column: “Life is just a journey….As we walk through life, there are only two kinds of pedestrians – the quick and the dead. Our most important mission in life is to accomplish something that will outlast life itself – remember, we are just living on ‘borrowed time’.”
From time to time, I will share his thoughts, ideas, and convictions through this column. * * * * 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: It seems that 2016 presidential election is not far away. Vice President Jejomar Binay has bolted his political party to form a new one, but he is welcomed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada to lead the latter’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino. For his part, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has signified his intention to run for president, to lead this country, but uncertain as to when. Kris Aquino, however, has categorically denied her running for Vice President, but not Governor Vilma Santos. The administration is still mum as to who its presidential bet, without letting go of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, whom our Senator Frank Drilon firmly pointed not long ago as a worthy person to occupy the highest post of the land. Many things will still happen. Publicists, advertisers, opinion makers will have their indispensable share in preparing the public. **** FEEDBACK. Last time I wrote about insurance, a friend asked me how to become part of an insurance company. Well, one must be qualified to join an insurance company, which qualifications may vary from one company to another, and one must also pass the examinations given by the Insurance Commission (IC). On March 15, the IC has a scheduled examinations here in Iloilo. # Send feedback to: arnoldcares@yahoo.com
The Need for Personal Significance
B
eing a mother requires a woman to invest her time and all else that she has to make her children grow beautifully in all aspects. This is quite easy but daunting at the same time. Raising children as a solo parent because the husband has to work abroad makes things complicated. Very recently, I had a dialogue with a very dear friend who is in this situation. Her husband has been working hard outside the country for some time and she has to raise their two adorable children by herself. The husband is able to provide for the family. She is able to manage everything --- taking care of the kids, maintaining a budget, keeping the house clean --- but at the end of the day, she thinks that she also has to do something for
herself and to be able to generate extra income for the family is one of her goals. After listening to her and giving her suggestions and capping the night with our usual I-will-always-be-here-foryou promises to each other, I remembered a book that was given to me as a gift recently. It is called “The Seven Psychological Needs” by Dr. Honey Carandang, Maria Teresa Aguilar and Ma. Blesila de Guzman - de Asis. It talks about the joy that comes from being truly listened to and being accepted for who we really are, the happiness in discovering what we are really good at and in knowing that we belong to a group, the safety and care that we feel when we are able to provided and are also provided with gentle and firm limits, the liberating feeling of playing and expressing ourselves through the
arts, the feeling of wonder and awe that comes by being in touch with nature and beauty and our own capacity to hope amidst the challenges in our life. While I was reading it again after talking to my friend, I realized that this is one of the many times she will need me in the same way that I need her too. After all, the first need that the book discusses is the need for personal significance. The basic questions that we ask ourselves are: How do I want to matter in this world? How do I want to matter to my children, to my husband, to my parents, to my siblings, to my country, to the world? What difference do I want to make? What legacy do I want to leave behind? What is the deeper meaning of my life here on earth? All these questions made me think hard. Am I making any
sense to anyone in this world? And then I look at my children sleeping so soundly in their warm and soft beds after having had a simple dinner and a good bath. And I suddenly remember that I am able to write all these thoughts in a gadget using internet that’s available 24/7 in a house that is able to give me and my family protection and warmth. I have what I need. Just right. And so I start to reflect on my own life. I can proudly say that I am able to give worth to myself, to the significant people in my life. On top of that, I am doing what I love most --- helping children make meaningful learnings out of the lesson called life. At the end of the day, I am truly able to say “I matter!” Tune in next week for the second basic psychological need. Have a great day ahead!
March 9 - 15, 2014
METRO OPINION
The making of a bike city T
he Iloilo C i t y government have gathered a gesture of support from middle to upper class bikers after it installed an exhibit of a miniature bike lane of about two kilometer stretch made of fill-in blocks at the Benigno Aquino Jr. Highway known as the Diversion Road. The project was appreciated by the growing number of bikers in Iloilo at the helm of the gripping issues on the misuse of pork barrel funds by the country’s legislators which include the Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon. The members of the biking community had many informal discussions about legislations that are responsive on the need
of bikers including segregating a portion of the road as a bike lane. It cannot be denied that Iloilo City is far behind when it comes to recognizing the share of the bike on the road being one of the oldest transport facility. In cities like Perth and Amsterdam, bikers are provided with the proper infrastructure such as bike racks, lockers, and a designated lane to ensure the bikers’ safety and efficiency in travelling from one place to another or from their homes going to their workplaces. The support of governments in promoting the use of bikes instead of a vehicle stands on the premise that bicycles are hasslefree and consumes a small space including parking if compared
enjoy biking at the old J.M. Basa street in downtown Iloilo City on weekends wherein pedestrianization is being enforced for many structures considered as heritage buildings are being retrofitted and are undergoing restoration. In this year’s Paraw Regatta Festival program at the Villa Beach, the city’s chief executive declared that March 30 will be marked as Iloilo Bike Festival. I’m not aware who whispered to the Mayor to declare such an event in spite of the fact that no legislation has been passed by the members of the City Council declaring the day as a Bike Day or Bike Fest. I am likewise curious of the real intention regarding the setting of the bike fest for there has been no real action from the
local government in terms of integrating the necessary plan for bikes in its development plan aside from the recently installed 2-km bike lane. The private sector in Iloilo City are likewise discriminatory to bikes and bikers for they do not provide bike racks for safe parking by bikers while they provide big spaces for motorcycle and vehicle parking. Maybe it is about time for bikers, especially worker-bikers that use the bike to work, to organize themselves as a sector of society in order to push for adequate legislative measure for its protection and for the local government to provide the proper infrastructure. For the time being, Iloilo City as a bike city can be considered a long shot and will remain a slogan for exhibit. ###
Audrey as Princess Anne, Sabrina Fairchild, and Holly Golightly; each doll costs a little under $200, and I don’t remember exactly where they were mailed from, but I remember paying a lot for shipping and handling. I saw an $800 Audrey as Sabrina doll recently in Palm Springs, but I decided that my Pullip Sabrina is a good enough representation.
What’s the most expensive piece in your Audrey collection? I once paid $350 for a music box that plays “Moon River,” the Oscar-winning song from the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” movie. I also got three Pullip dolls with
What are the indispensable movies? I really cannot choose, but I am really proud of my filmed/ adapted Broadway musicals and opera collection. I’m also fond of my ballet/theatre/opera stash from Opus Arte, and the art house and Oscar-favorites from The Criterion Collection. Then, I must confess an admiration for BBC Films. Oh, and just because I don’t think that many
people really collect them, I am also proud of my hoard of documentaries and indies from IFC Films. Still, there are movies that I have bought, just because I saw them at bargain prices, that I haven’t screened yet. Now, I’d really be interested to know if anyone in Iloilo has seen all of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s movies. I remember that I bought bootlegged copies of his “Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom” and “The Decameron” in Quiapo back when I was as poor as a rat; but now, I can afford the originals so I can enjoy his “Trilogy of Life: The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, and A Thousand and One Nights.” I don’t know how many of you know that the great soprano La Diva Maria Callas made exactly one movie in her life. That movie was “Medea” by Pasolini! Am I a big Pasolini fan? Hardly. If at all, I’m a Fellini buff, or a Truffaut aficionado. But they are only my early attachments when I was new and discovering world cinema. Today, I really keep my eyes open, and give each filmmaker a fair chance to be seen. So, yes, I do watch Wes Anderson, Christophe Barratier, and even Zack Snyder.
where I observed the presence of many student backpackers - mostly from Australia - and good mixes of adult Asian and European tourists. If you have the fancy for museums or have cravings for local arts and crafts, Ubud should be your must-see destination. The other cities are known for their black and white sand beaches, resorts, upscale seafood restaurants, trendy designer bars, and shoppers’ delights. If you care for golden sand beach and high-end resorts, go to Nusa Dua (venue of Miss World 2013). If your preferences are for snorkelling, diving, and surfing, Nusa Lembongan is it. But if your purpose is simply sight seeing, visit Bukit Peninsula. There you will get to encounter the mischievous monkeys who might snatch your gadgets if you are unmindful or careless of their presence. We had a good laugh when Andhi, our friend from Sidney, had close encounters with a fairly big monkey that wanted to take away his bottled mineral water. Once you get to climb all
the way to the cliff-hanging Uluwatu Temple, the amazing sight will almost take your breath away. Awesome coastal view! Spectacular sunset! Bali has mostly recovered from the deadly terrorist bombings in 2002 and 2005, leaving 202 victims. Last year, tourist arrivals exceeded the 3 million mark, which is significantly higher than the prebombing record. Like many thickly populated tourist destinations, Bali has problems with scammers and dishonest individuals who overcharge unsuspecting tourists with exorbitant service fees or food costs. We learned a good lesson from eating in a seafood restaurant with no published prices in the menu book. The key is to always ask for the cost of the commodity or service before availment so you don’t get ripped off. For safety, one should avoid high profile hang outs especially those with lax security measures. Always be on guard for possible planting of some items into your bags. The penalty for possession
of illegal drugs in Indonesia is harsh: lengthy prison term or execution. Generally, however, Bali remains as a favorite tourist destination. Its varied landscape of rugged coastlines, magnificent rice terraces, alluring mountains, and virgin forests are feasts to the eyes. The more adventurous visitors can try paragliding, mountain cycling, jungle trekking, bungee jumping, horseback riding, surfing, scuba diving, yachting, white-water rafting, canyoning, sport fishing, trolling, jigging, or bottom fishing. In 2010, Travel and Leisure presented Bali with the Best Island award. BBC Travel, on the other hand, ranked Bali as second to Greece among the World’s Best islands. Bali also received the Travellers’ Choice distinction in 2014. Ask Megan Lynne Young. Or anyone else who had been to Bali. Their shared insights into the paradise island will likewise be instructive to our local tourism authorities.
to cars. In urban centers, many are in fact using foldable bikes for the unit can be tucked in in a small space or even inside the office room. The use of bikes is also considered as a low polluting for it does not utilize fossil fuel and cost effective because it requires no gasoline and minimal maintenance cost. It is likewise beneficial to individuals for it promotes better health as a cardiovascular exercise. In old cities, biking provides an intimate experience for it can pass into small alleyways which provides a closer view of old architecture and heritage buildings. This is the reason why many bikers from the Iloilo Folding Bike Riders
ADDICTED TO AUDREY A
re you packed for your move from Los Angeles to Baltimore? I have filled fifteen large balikbayan boxes already, and let’s just say that I’m almost halfway done. Haha! That’s how much stuff I have accumulated since coming to America with nothing but a suitcase in February 2006! Looking at what has already been packed, $23,000 appears to be a very low estimate for the total worth of my collection of books, movies, music, and Audrey Hepburn memorabilia. This is where all my money went, and I’m proud of my private library and museum. I’m packing very slowly because I am also doing the inventory, which means that I am painstakingly writing down each title or item that I pack, in the hope of making a more organized transfer of library/ museum in Baltimore. What’s in your Audrey Hepburn collection? I think that the question
should be what is not in my collection! Haha. I definitely have all of Audrey’s movies from “One Wild Oat” where she played a hotel receptionist to “Always” where she played the angel Hap. I do not know of any copy of “Nederlands in Zeven Lessen/Dutch in Seven Lessons” or “Monte Carlo Baby/ Nous irons a Monte Carlo” that is available to the public at the moment, but you can be assured that once it becomes accessible, I’ll be among the first to get it. Audrey is one of those few artists who have won a Tony, an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe. So, yes, I have all her Grammy-winning recordings, and Emmy-winning shows. I have all sorts of things Audrey from limited-edition ceramic plates, to Mattel dolls, Madame Alexander dolls, signed shooting scripts, Broadway playbills for “Gigi” and “Ondine,” original “Charade” movie stills [remember those by-gone 8”x10” photographs outside the cinemas before the onslaught of the big posters?], LP records [remember those vinyl discs that played on
Paradise Island T
he past t h r e e weeks had been quite challenging but exquisitely rewarding for me. The assignments from my organization brought me to Batam, Pekan Baru, Medan, Tanjung Pinang, Jakarta, Bali, Sumba, and Bandung in Central and West Indonesia, for food security trainings. Last week was my 14th visit to Bali. Most times I was there mainly as a transit passenger bound for Waingapu and Kupang, East Indonesia. The two days I recently spent in the paradise island, however, was simply not enough to do 1,589 different things there as advertised by TripAdvisor.com. I had previously written about Bali but let me share some few more marginal notes about this distinctly unique place on earth. Geographically, Bali is 560 times the size of Boracay so
you can imagine the diverse activities that tourists can have while vacationing in the island. Everywhere you look around, the physical and economic engines of growth are highly tangible there. About 80% of Bali’s earnings are reliant on tourism with 20% drawn from agriculture. The inclusive tourism growth has positively impacted the Balinese standard of living. Spruced up private dwellings, elegant hotels and restaurants, high rise business establishments, luxury cars, and good roads are indicative of economic progress. Driving through the tolled causeway bridge that stretches 12.7 kilometers above the sea, I could not help thinking how things could drastically improve if such kind of infrastructure is able to connect Panay, Guimaras, and Negros islands, too. There are 10 cities in Bali with Denpasar as the transport hub and administrative center. Kuta, however, is the shopping and night-life gateway. This was
7
gramophones before the era of mp3’s?], scraps of cloth from dresses she wore, pins, bags, purses, cigarette cases, stamps, postcards, playing cards, phone cards, puzzles, mugs, T-shirts, and so on. I have plenty of books on Audrey: authorized and unauthorized biographies, coffee table books, photographic tributes, film scripts, plays and novels from which her movies were adapted, memoirs of those whose lives she touched, and even stuff that are remotely connected to her, like Alan Brown’s “Audrey Hepburn’s Neck,” and Robert Anderson’s “After.” Who is Robert Anderson, who wrote “Tea and Sympathy,” in Audrey’s life other than the screenwriter of “The Nun’s Story”? That, I will reveal to you only after you have toured my Audrey Hepburn museum.
How many DVD movies do you have? I have a respectable collection of between 750 or 800 DVD movies in my Dumangas video library alone. But right now, here in L.A., I have already packed 1,654 titles for the move, not counting the 36 DVDs in the Audrey Hepburn collection.
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March 9 - 15, 2014
METRO AGRICULTURE
9
Problems are Opportunities (8): Raise Chickens for Eggs and Meat (Part 6)
Fast Growing Meat Type Chickens Last week on our visit to the proposed Demonstration Farm of the Municipality of Mina, we met Mr. Gerry Suarnaba, a retired army man who lives just outside the perimeter fence of the farm. He gardens a small part of the area inside where he plants a variety of vegetables. What caught our attention were several chickens running around. The hen is a large meat type popularly called Kabir and the roosters were the asil types called locally as jolo. Gerry crosses the jolo males with the kabir hens and says that the offsprings are as fast growing as the kabirs and as resistant as the jolo or asils. Being promoted as a free range chicken, the kabirs came into the country from Europe or Middle East where they are grown like the common white broiler chickens that we are familiar with. They were also selectively bred for performance, meaning that the breeders sought to improve the breed for fast growth and high meat recovery. Thus in close confinement and commercial operations, the kabirs may perform as well as the white
broiler type can can be harvested in the same number of days it takes the white breeds to grow. As a meat type free range chicken, the kabirs offer an advantage over the traditional native chickens we normally find in the rural areas. They grow fast, voraciously eats anything edible and can be as hardy as the native strains. They are also are docile and won’t stray away from their pasture when food is available. Unlike the native chickens which are flighty, kabirs can’t take off due to their heavy bodies and and short wing spans. There are variations of the kabir breed. Other entrepreneurs have imported the Sasso from France a few years back and there are already breeders who specialize in selling day old chicks of this breed. There’s also the Sunshine free range chickens that looks like the sasso. Another breed is the naked neck chicken popularly called the cobra which originated in Eastern Europe, particularly from the Transylvania region also famous for the Count Dracula story. This breed is also known to be hardy and fast growing and is known to be made a parent line for free range chickens. The prominent feature of this breed is that its neck is devoid of feathers, thus it is popularly called a cobra chicken. Breeding method for free range fast growing strains: The basic method for breeding free range chicken is to cross totally unrelated breeds. In the case of Ka Gerry, he has jolo or asil brood cocks mated to his kabir hens. Since he has two cocks, he can mate the first cocks to the hens first then mate the
Municipal Agri Officer Xykster Pelaez holding a jolo cock
Red jolo with kabir hen next cock to the second generation of kabir x asil so that he comes up with fast growing range-adapted chickens. The resulting offspring will be as fast growing as the kabir hen but more resistant to weather conditions of the field. The same is true with other fast growing imported breeds like the sasso. They can be mated with the asils or other hardy large types of chickens. There are also small farmers who do a reverse breeding program. They look for a large cock to mate with their small native hens and retain the resulting pullets for the next generation of breeding while selling the cockerels. Then on the next generation of breeding, they find another large rooster to replace the original rooster. Both methods are variations of hybridization where the objective is to develop strength in the individuals through complementation where the best characters of both parents are transferred to the offspring. (to be continued).
Gerry Suarnaba with a kabir hen
Kabir hen with newly hatched chicks
Gold jolo with kabir hen
Vegetables not enough - FAO BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) urge the Asia and the Pacific Region to increase its vegetable production. The drastic climb in production of 47 percent will only suffice the minimum level of the nutritional need of a rising population, which is assumed to surpass 9-billion in the year 2050; this despite of some 25 percent improvement on the region’s per capita vegetable production in 10 years. On a UN report with 2009 as the baseline, ‘middle income’ earners in the Asia and the Pacific will triple in number by 2020 and sixfold hike by 2030. FAO assistant director general and regional representative for Asia and the Pacific Hiroyuki Konuma believed the situation would drive consumer demand for safe and healthy products. He said this is one area exhibiting high risk of growth and seek serious attention. On their latest information, the
Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) traced a decline on four out of nine major vegetables cultivated. Peanut diminished from 3.76 thousand metric tons (TMT) in 2012 to 3.73 TMT in 2013. From July to September 2012, cabbage production was at 18.15 TMT but drop off to 18.12 TMT on the same months the following year. Tomato also registered a 5.2 percent decline from 28.47 TMT in 2012 to 26.98 TMT in 2013. Red and yellow onion fell off to 7.14 metric ton (MT) in 2013 from 9.60 MT in 2012. Sweet potato production weakens from 142.51 TMT in 2012 to 141.26 TMT in 2013. Nevertheless, mongo, cassava and eggplant showed positive increase on its production. One percent increase was noted in mongo production, 12.2 percent in cassava while 0.3 percent improvement in eggplant was observed. Asia and the Pacific comprise three-quarters of the world’s vegetables production.
Biggest flower in the world found in Culasi, Antique The biggest flower in the world, Rafflesia speciosa, was recently discovered in Bgy. Osorio, Culasi, Antique. The site where the rare flower was found is approximately ten (10) kilometers from the barangay proper, more or less a 4-hours hike, and is located at the base of Mt. Madia-as. CENR Officer Vicente T. Mellizas, Jr. of Culasi was informed by barangay kagawad Lope Santiago that a budding Rafflesia speciosa was seen at their barangay. CENRO Mellizas immediately instructed and send Forest Technician Bernardo S. Lacupa to conduct field verification and bring back report to his office. Lacupa, accompanied by barangay kawagad Nathaniel Santiago and Elvies Santiago, went directly to the site in Barangay Osorio to verify the existence of the rare flower in the world. During the field verification,
the flower is in full bloom and measures 50 cm. in diameter. Some flowers were about to decay while others are still in buds. It could be recalled that in March 2012, Rafflesia speciosa was also discovered in Barbaza, Antique. Technical assistance was then provided to DENR by Dr. Julie Barcelona of the Philippine Native Plant Conservation, Inc. and Biological Sciences University, Canterbury, New Zealand. Exploration in the mountain of Culasi, Antique was recommended to Dr. Barcelona to further confirm the extent of distribution of such species from Culasi to Barbaza town. PAWB Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim issued Wildlife Gratuitous Permit No. 218 to University of Canterbury, New Zealand to grant the latter to conduct scientific research on the existence of the rafflesia in the
A budding Rafflesia speciosa (left photo) found in Brgy. Osorio in Culasi, Antique province. Right photo shows Forest Technician Bernardo S. Lacupa conducting field verification. country and Culasi, Antique was one 2013 by Dr. Barcelona. As it turned the find is within the municipality of of the target sites. The said exploration out, rafflesia was found at the base Culasi, province of Antique./DENRactivity was undertaken in March 23, of Mt. Madia-as and a big portion of RPAO/CENRO Culasi
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METRO SPORTS
March 9 - 15, 2014
Blatche bill passes 1st committee level, faces condition House Bill 3783 - which seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to NBA player has been approved on committee level in the 16th Congress at the House of Representatives. The initial hearing of the bill seeking to grant the Brooklyn Nets center Filipino citizenship was referred upon the Committee on Justice chaired by Iloilo Representative Neil Tupas and was approved Wednesday morning. However, it is subjected under one condition before entering the plenary: Blatche should appear before a Philippine Consul General and affirm his desire to be naturalized. If Blatche fulfills this reservation and the committee is satisfied, Tupas will schedule the second reading by next week, tentatively. Congressman Robbie Puno - who is also the principle author of HB 2307 which gave Douthit his Filipino citizenship - filed the bills last month and it will have to undergo three readings in the lower house. If approved, his bill will be taken to the Senate for three more levels before it shall await the President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino’s approval. A counterpart of Puno’s bill to naturalize Blatche has already been filed in the Senate too by Senator Sonny Angara. Pampanga representative and Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao was also in attendance for his bill (HB 2342) seeking to grant Philippine citizenship to boxing referee Bruce McTavish, who has been serving most local fight cards here and is an adopted son of Angeles City, Pampanga. He has been living in the country for over 40 years and supported many street children. His bill was approved. Puno says he is glad that the bill has finally been touched but he knows it is a long way to go. “Technically it has not been objected so I’m happy that it got support.,” Puno said after the hearing. “We will probably get the second
As Tiger woods nearly misses cut Rory soars
Andray Blatche Photo CTO reading before March 12 and upon resumption in May, we get the third reading while hoping the Senate counterpart also gets approved.” The 16th Congress takes a break from March 14 to May 5. Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes, team manager Aboy Castro, assistant coach Jong Uichico, and naturalized big Marcus Douthit were also present. Reyes said he wishes for the best. “I’m just hoping for the best,” he said. House Bill 3784 meanwhile is withdrawn by Puno since Javale McGee is injured and won’t be able to play in the World Cup anyway. But he is open to filing another bill if Reyes still wants him in the future. Gilas Pilipinas and 23 other teams have until July 30 to submit their lineups to FIBA for the 2014 World Cup of Basketball in Spain from August to September. READ: Gilas begins new, tougher journey to the FIBA World Cup With the help of naturalized center Marcus Douthit, the Philippine national team finished 4th in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship and bagged the silver in the 2013 edition here at home last August 2013. (Rappler.com)
Rory McIlroy bounced back from a rough start for a four-under 66 to take a one-shot lead after the second round of the Honda Classic. Tiger Woods had to scramble on Friday to narrowly make the cut. McIlroy recovered from two early bogeys by running off six birdies in a 10-hole stretch. He looked solid from tee-to-green, hit putts with growing confidence and wound up with a oneshot lead over Brendon de Jonge. “I knew that with the way I’m playing and the confidence in my ability, I would be able to get those shots back,” McIlroy said. “I didn’t panic. I didn’t try to do anything different. Just tried to keep playing the way I was.” He was at 11-under 129. Woods felt fortunate to still be playing. He was over the cut line after scrambling for a bogey on the 11th hole and wound up with a 69 to make the cut on the number. Woods hit only two greens over his last nine holes. His lone birdie on the back nine was a chip-in on the 13th after he missed the green with a wedge. “It was a grind, there’s no doubt about it,” Woods said. “I didn’t hit it very good. Just one of those days where I fought out a number, which was good.” Because 79 players made the cut, there will be another cut to top 70 and ties on Saturday. Woods missed the 54-hole cut the last time he played on the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour at Torrey Pines. And at least he’s still playing the weekend. That wasn’t the case for Phil Mickelson. Playing the Honda Classic for the first time in 12 years, he had a 71 to miss the cut. So did Henrik Stenson, the No. 3 player in the world, with rounds of 73-76. McIlroy knew the feeling a year ago, when he took a steep fall from No. 1 in the world while changing equipmentand trying to live up to high expectations, leading to his snap decision to walk off
Tiger Woods (Photo CTO) the course after 26 holes last year at the Honda Classic. A growing gallery in warm sunshine at PGA National saw a familiar game— the McIlroy who won the Honda Classic two years ago. Swinging freely and putting beautifully, McIlroy hit his stride on his back nine with four birdies in five holes, including the par-five third when he smashed a drive some 35 yards past Adam Scott and had only a 6-iron into the green on the 539-yard hole. De Jonge, who has never won on the PGA Tour, played early in the afternoon when the wind picked up and put eight birdies on his card in a 64. He was tied for the lead when he missed the green with a wedge on No. 9 and made bogey. Even so, he’ll be in the last group on Saturday with McIlroy. Russell Henley had a 68 and was three shots behind. Russell Knox of Scotland had the low round Friday at 63 and was four shots back along with Lee Westwood (65). But the focus is clearly on McIlroy, who each week looks to be getting better. “This year is obviously a lot different,” McIlroy said. “Got off to a good start. I’m confident. I’m
playing well. This is the second straight tournament I’ve opened with a 63, so if I can keep building on these good starts, then hopefully I can start converting.” Friday was another step in the right direction, despite two errant tee shots on the 11th and 12th holes that led to bogeys. His round changed with a tee shot into 6 feet on the 16th hole for a birdie, and then a 12-foot birdie on the 18th to wrap up his front nine and earn back the two shots he had dropped. After a 45-foot birdie attempt on the second hole rimmed all the way around and out of the cup, Boy Wonder took off. He two-putted the par-5 third. He hit a wedge into 4 feet on the next hole. He rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt down the hill at the par-5 fifth. Then, after a tough par save on the sixth, he sank another 30-foot birdie putt that McIlroy made look routine. “Watching Rory play is amazing when he’s swinging like this,” Scott said after his own great recovery. The Masters champ put shots in the water on the 16th and 17th holes, both times making double bogey, and it looked as though his return to golf after a six-week break would be a short one. But the Australian ran off four birdies on the front nine for a 70.
T E C H N O L O G Y
Gates quits; new Microsoft CEO named
BY REYMAR LATOZA
The world’s richest man, Bill Gates, is set to take up his new role as technical adviser of Microsoft Corp. after he official stepped down as chief executive officer (CEO) of the computer giant. Microsoft recently announced that veteran engineering exec Satya Nadella, 46, will be the next CEO. Nadella will replace Steve Ballmer, who announced to retire in August. Co-founder Bill Gates, 57, said in a statement that there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella “Satya is a proven leader with hardcore engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth.” Before his appointment, the India-born insider worked as head of the company’s cloud computing division and enterprise business. Nadella is the third person to lead the world’s largest software maker, which was founded 39 years ago. “We have tremendous opportunity, and that’s inspiring. I want every one of us to find more meaning at work. We spend far too much time at work for it not to have
deep meaning,” Nadella said “The opportunity ahead for Microsoft is vast, but to seize it, we must focus clearly, move faster and continue to transform. A big part of my job is to accelerate our ability to bring innovative products to our customers more quickly.” He added. In a report of The Telegraph, the company’s revenues climbed 14pc to $24.51bn in the last three months of 2013, while profits hit $6.6bn, up from $6.4bn in the same period the previous year.
Bill Gates. Photo from flicker.com
Photo by: computers-solution.com
Huawei unveils bracelet device HUAWEI Technologies Co., China’s biggest smartphone maker, unveiled its first smart bracelet, while Samsung Electronics Co. introduced wristwatches based on its Tizen operating system at the Mobile World Congress. Huawei said its bracelet will satisfy demand by customers who want wearable devices that can be used for everything, from monitoring health to messaging functions. Samsung introduced the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. The 1.63-inch wristwatches will go on sale from April and are compatible with more than dozens of Samsung’s Android-based Galaxy smartphones. “We think that wearables in the future can be a large market,” Colin Giles, an executive vice president at Shenzhen, China-based Huawei, said in an interview yesterday in Barlecona. “You see the integration of sensors and how devices become more miniaturized.” Global sales of smart watches, glasses and medical products were
about $10 billion last year and are forecast to triple by 2018, according to researcher IHS. Huawei was the world’s No. 3 smartphone vendor last year with 4.9 percent of shipments, trailing Samsung and Apple Inc., according to researcher IDC. Huawei had 4 percent of the smartphone market in 2012. Huawei also revealed its Ascend G6 4G smartphone with a 4.5-inch screen. Huawei is expanding its business from its traditional network equipment after encountering opposition in markets including the US and Australia, where politicians claim equipment from the Chinese vendor may pose a security threat. Co-Chief Executive Officer Eric Xu predicted in November that Huawei’s smartphone business would grow 10 percent last year and in 2014. HTC Corp., the Taiwanese smartphone maker struggling with sliding sales, also plans to demonstrate
the first of three wearable devices this week in Barcelona, according to a person with direct knowledge of the plans. Samsung in September released the Galaxy Gear watch that connects with its smartphones, joining Sony’s SmartWatch unveiled in 2012. Separately, the world’s biggest maker of smartphones is set to release its new Galaxy smartphone with a display that is larger and sharper than the current S4’s screen, as well as an improved battery and camera. The new devices come as Samsung faces slowing profit growth amid concern the high-end smartphone market is nearing saturation on top of rising competition from Chinese makers bringing out cheaper smartphones. Samsung last month said fourthquarter net income rose 5.4 percent from a year earlier to 7.22 trillion won ($6.7 billion), its slowest profit growth since 2011 as Apple Inc.’s new iPhones lured high-end customers.
March 9 - 15, 2014
METRO SPORTS
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Iloilo City runs 2014 SEAOIL All-Star balloting campaign BY REYMAR LATOZA Want to see your favorite local basketball players? The decision is up to you. The Seaoil National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) will bring top 20 players who will get the number of votes and they will be part of the AllStar Game in Iloilo City after the final game of the Local City Tournament. Iloilo City is among the four cities in the country added to run an All Star balloting campaign. SEAOIL NBTC program director Eric Altamirano said that part of the SEAOIL NBTC is the SEAOIL High School All Star Game “It will be the first chance for everyone in the country to see the future stars of Philippine basketball playing together on the same court. Interestingly, the idea for this event
PH Fails...from page 1
poorest families are being left behind, despite the country’s applauded economic accomplishments. “The present administration learned a lesson from the first 3 years of the PDP’s implementation that economic growth is necessary but not sufficient for poverty reduction,” he said. Balisacan added that the key is to directly address the constraints faced by the poor, set against a backdrop of rapid
was inspired by the tremendous success of the SEAOIL All Star program run only in Bacolod City last year, ” Altamirano said. He added that interested basketball fanatics can use their January 2013 to February 2014 receipts to vote for their favorite player. P200.00 purchase of any SEAOIL product is equivalent to one vote. If you have P1,000.00 worth of purchase, you will get five ballots and you can write down the name of your chosen player in all five ballots or choose other player/s to vote. Voting will be held during the SEAOIL NBTC League game days. Voters are to present their Proof of Purchase at the Ballot Redemption Booth, where they will be issued the corresponding number of Ballots. and sustained growth. These constraints operate in a highly diverse, fragmented and hazard prone environment. He said that they will give direct focus on where the poor are – in terms of the space, the geography, and the sectors in which they belong – and tailor-cut the response to poverty on the basis of the circumstances of these areas, the regions, the provinces, the cities, and the poor. BusinessMirror/ IMT
COA gains...from page 1 The Iloilo Metropolitan Times tried to ask the side of COA 6 regarding the matter but was referred to contact their central office. The Ombudsman-COA JIT has uncovered the P1.7-billion irregularities in the swine program of the Quedan and Rural Credit
Guarantee Corporation (Quedancor); the dubious transfer of P734-million from the agriculture department to the National Agri-Business Corporation; the P728-million fertilizer fund scam; and has worked on the special audit of the ongoing deliberation on Malampaya fund scam.IMT
Voters who will their SEAOIL VIP Card redemption can double the of their votes. VIP Cards acquired and registered
present during number may be at any
SEAOIL stations. On the ballot, voters will write the name of their chosen or favorite player. Due to the success of the All-Star balloting program run only in Bacolod
last year, SEAOIL will add in four other cities which will run an All- Star balloting campaign. These cities are Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga. IMT
The Seaoil National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) brings the All-Star Balloting Campaign in Iloilo City.
‘Empower Farmers...from page 1 Business Club (IBC) and Vice President of Trade Feeds of the Philippines Foremost Milling Corporation said local governments should address the existing challenges in the said sector to improve more the competitiveness of region 6 in terms of its economic performance. “Local government Units (LGUs) strong effort in strengthening the agriindustrial business enterprises is among the key drivers to increase the economic
growth rate of WV,” Uygongco said. He added that WV has a great potential to become the country’s largest regional economy by addressing the following challenges in Agriculture sector: little or no land preparation, non-investment in quality high yielding varieties seed such as yellow corn; high post harvest losses caused by natural calamities; no value adding; economies of scale and access to credit.
WV is among the top five fastest growing regions and largest regional economies in the country, based on the recent data on gross domestic product (GDP) and gross regional domestic product (GDRP) growth rates. WV ranked fourth fastest growing region with 5.5 percent growth, contributing 4.01 percent to the country’s GDP. The Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery sectors grew by 13.82 percent and accounted for 26.66 percent to the GDRP. IMT