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A health worker takes swab sample from a public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver during the first day of community surveillance swab testing for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and delivery riders held at Davao Crocodile Park in Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao
City disperses community pantry for violating health protocols
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NO PANTRY
Drivers and conductors of a bus company, which serves some Davao City routes, undergo swab testing during the first day of a drive-thru swab testing at Davao Crocodile Park in Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao
City disperses community pantry for violating health protocols By MAYA M. PADILLO
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he city government of Davao has dispersed a community pantry at Quimpo Boulevard fronting SM City Davao on Monday for violating the minimum public health standards. “Kaganiha duna ta’y gipa-disperse na isa ka community pantry. Gipapauli ang mga tao. Clearly ang organizer di siya kabalo pa unsa niya buhaton nga dili mag-violate sa minimum public health standards ang ilahang community pantry,” said Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio in a live broadcast
interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday. Mayor Sara advised those individuals and groups planning to stage a community pantry to always coordinate with the barangay and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for crowd-control.
“Makaya ra na siya basta mag-coordinate sa mga enforcers especially sa barangay ug sa DCPO. If we cannot implement the public health standards especially on distancing unya daghan ang mga tao then ma-defeat ang atong purpose na makatabang ta ug mga tao kay most likely duna’y transmission sa ingon ani nga gathering. Ang secret ana is proper coordination,” she said. The mayor added that issuing guidelines for organizers of community pantry is not yet necessary,
however, requiring them a permit is being discussed and being referred to the City Legal Office. “There was a discussion if permit is in order. We referred it pa to the City Legal Office kung kinahanglan pa ba nga ingon ana,” she said. The mayor said organizers of community pantry must follow the same instructions given to the private groups and sectors last year who intend to distribute assistance to the community, which include
end of 2021 as stated by Shake A. Tuason, Apo Agua operations head. Tuason told reporters covering the AFP-PNP press corps weekly briefing last Wednesday that despite challenging
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New army brigade chief in DavOr vows to sustain peace and order
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ocal officials and stakeholders are confident that Davao Oriental’s peace and security will be sustained under the leadership of the newly installed Commander of the 701st Kagitingan Brigade. Col. Oliver Maquiling assumed his post as the new Brigade Commander as Outgoing Commander Brigadier General Krishnamurti Mortela relinquished his post in a change of command ceremony held on Tuesday at the 701st Brigade Headquarters in Sitio Magay, Don Martin Marundan, City of Mati, Davao Oriental. 7th Infantry Division Commander Major General Alfredo Rosario Jr., who presided over the ceremony from Nueva Ecija in Luzon via a video teleconference, shares the local officials’ confidence in the new leadership of Col. Maquiling while he expressed his hopes that the peace that has already been gained in Davao Oriental as well as in other areas covered by the
Brigade will be sustained. “Sana sa ilalim ng iyong pamumuno ay magpatuloy ang magandang performance ng 701 Brigade at higit pang madagdagan ang inyong mga stakeholders na syang magiging katuwang ninyo sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo at seguridad sa ating mamamayan. (I hope that under your leadership, the Brigade’s good performance will be sustained and that more stakeholders, who will become our partners in providing services and security to our people, will join our cause),” said Major General Rosario. With several years of experience serving in various capacities in the Philippine Army, including being the 701st Brigade’s Deputy Commander for two years, Col. Maquiling was chosen to take on the huge responsibility of leading the 2,000-strong unit, which covers two battalions and eight other operational control units. Aside from his reputable
Center (DCIPC), shared that this was bared by Rico B. Manuel, assistant vice president and business development head for Mindanao operations of ALI during an online CEO visit with DCIPC in February this year.
During the online visit, Manuel presented ALI’s upcoming big real estate projects in Davao City. Mondejar said over the next three years, unless anything drastic happens because of the pandemic,
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Councilor sees end of water Ayala Land to develop its woes in District 2 this year 207-hectare land in Toril
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ouncilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang lauded the Aboitiz-led Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (AAII) for fasttracking the completion of the multibillion peso bulkwater supply project (BWSP) in Davao City.
Dayanghirang told Edge Davao in a text message he has no doubt in Apo Agua management’s statement that the gargantuan water project tapping the TamuganPanigan river system will start operating at the
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yala Land Inc., (ALI), the country’s largest land developer, will soon commence its 207-hectare property in Toril, Davao City. Joyce Mariel Mondejar, program officer of Davao City Investment Promotion
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NEWS 3
National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon Jr. chats with Senator Christopher“Bong”Go during the Joint National Task Force (NTF)-Regional Task Force (RTF) to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Region 10 meeting at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan De Oro City in this undated photo. Esperon has appealed to lawmakers to support the Barangay Development Program (BDP) as it is for the best interest of underserved barangays and denies communist groups the opportunity to take back what was formerly their playground. Edge Davao
Construction of Samal-Davao Bridge faces another delay Ex-Sarangani town dad killed, 2 others hurt in GenSan ambush
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former municipal councilor of Malapatan town, Sarangani province was killed while two of his family members were wounded in an ambush in a village here on Sunday night. Maj. Yol Hilado, chief of the city’s Police Station 3, said Monday the victim Montacier Singcoy, 41, and three other companions were on their way home to Malapatan aboard a pickup truck when they
were waylaid by three unidentified gunmen at a portion of Purok San Jose, Barangay Baluan around 9 p.m. He said Singcoy, who was driving the pickup, was hit in the initial volley of gunfire and lost control of the vehicle that swerved and hit a nearby house. “According to witnesses, the suspects then approached the vehicle and finished off the victim,” Hilado said in an interview.
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Tagum preserves parks, landmarks from becoming COVID-19 hotspot
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he City Government of Tagum makes sure to preserve the vicinity of its new historical and cultural center from becoming a hotspot area of COVID-19 transmission. A security management officer has been assigned to closely watch the Rizal and Freedom parks at the vicinity of Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center (TCHCC), that has attracted public visits
for strolling and photo sessions. “Many got interested to visit. Bigla nga late afternoon hanggan gabii ang dami pumupunta. (All of the sudden a number are visiting there from late afternoon till evening),” he said. The influx of visitors to the recreated parks that were spruced with the opening of TCHCC has
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By MAYA M. PADILLO he construction of the ‘dream project’ Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector hit another snag.
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Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Emil Sadain told Edge Davao that the construction for the long awaited dream project hit another obstacle as there is no movement yet on the loan negotiation between the Department of Finance (DOF) and the China Government.
“No feedback yet from DOF. There will be delays on the construction,” Sadain said. He didn’t give details as to why there is still no update yet on the negotiation. “DPWH is not privy to the negotiation between DOF, DFA, and China Eximbank. Sorry, I have no info on the details,” Sadain
explained. The project is a two-way four-lane 3.86-km bridge in southern corridor to connect the Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City across the Pakiputan Strait. The main bridge is 1.62-km long and will be designed in a cable-stayed structure with the twin towers and double cable planes. The construction duration is estimated to last 60 months and once completed, the bridge will provide a resilient and
“What we need for those who want to put up pantries is just to coordinate with local government units to ensure that safety and health protocols are observed,” Roldan said during the recent media briefing at Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 headquarters, Buhangin this city.
He said this is also to ensure the safety of the products being distributed in the community pantry to those in need. Only authorities, he said, can determine if certain products are still safe to be consumed or not. “There should be somebody who would be responsible in case
reliable transportation link between Metro Davao and Samal Island, reducing the transportation time and enhancing internal mobility and external linkage to support the economic and tourist growth potential of the local region. The bridge is also expected to increase the economic activities and improve the livelihoods of the Samaleños. The project is expected to break ground in the first half of 2021.
Execs ask pantry organizers to coordinate with PNP, LGUs
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epartment of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 11 director Alex Roldan urged organizers of community pantries to coordinate with Local Government Units (LGUs), barangays, and the police to ensure that health protocols will be followed during the distribution of aid.
something happened to people who could consume the products. The question is who will control it if somebody would give you a product that is already expired. Do you allow that to be consumed by the public?” Roldan asked. The DILG director clarified that the agency
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Crystal Ali Solaiman, PEARBCO general manager, shows some of the products produced by their cooperative based in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat in this photo taken on April 11, 2021. MindaNews photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO
DOT pushes for local tourism; dependent on LGUs readiness T
CebPac resumes Davao-Clark route with special P88 seat sale
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ourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat bared in the One Davao Virtual Presser that the Department of Tourism (DOT) is seeing and pushing for domestic tourism as the new normal in this time of the pandemic.
“ Ang swerte ng Pilipinas kasi dependent tayo sa local or domestic tourism. Before the pandemic, nakapagtala tayo ng 1 million domestic trips (The Philippines is lucky to be dependent on local or domestic tourism. Before the pandemic, we have recorded 1 million domestic trips)”, Puyat said. In Davao Region, the DOT observed that while many establishments closed operations in 2020
there are also new outdoor offerings that started operating early this year. DOT XI Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan cited the opening of resorts, caves, and waterfalls. Also mentioned is the plan for a Japanese History Bike Tour as a project by the DOT Davao City. This led the DOT to continue in its provision of accreditation to accommodation establishments following health and safety
protocols. From the survey conducted by the department in May and November 2020, it was learned that 96 percent of the recipients wanted to travel but they want to be ensured health and safety in their travel destination. The survey also showed that people prefer destinations that are open air, open space, and that are of heritage and cultural in nature. However, following the discovery of new variants of the COVID19 affecting Filipinos recently, Puyat emphasized that the DOT respects and follows the decision of local chief executives as to the opening up for tourism.
“ We in the DOT recommends to the IATF. Kaya meron tayong guidelines na nabubuo pero nirerespeto natin kung ano ang tingin ng mga LGUs sa nararapat o kung anong dapat. (We came up with guidelines but we still respect the judgement of the LGUs on what should be done),” Puyat said. The official highlighted that in restarting tourism, there is a need to balance efforts with the goal of maintaining health and safety not just for the travelers but also for the employees in the tourism sector and most especially for those residents within the tourist destination. (PIA XI/ Frances Mae Macapagat)
he Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pacific, resumes its Davao-Clark route with a special PHP88 seat sale, in line with boosting connectivity across its wide domestic network. Beginning May 2, passengers will be able to fly direct between Clark and Davao once weekly, every Sunday. On top of this, CEB also flies from Davao to Manila 12x weekly, and from Davao to Cebu 4x weekly every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Flights for these routes are also up for grabs for only PHP 88 one-way base fare, with travel period from today until February 28, 2022. “We are happy to continue reopening more domestic routes as we see more people wanting to
travel. We ensure our passengers that our low fares are here to stay so everyJuan can book ahead and save on their trips,” said Michelle Lim, Cebu Pacific spokesperson. With this seat sale, Dabawenyos who are longing to visit the beach can also fly to Cebu and connect conveniently to Boracay, Puerto Princesa or Siargao. Guests who have existing travel funds are encouraged to make use of such to book new flights. Last month, CEB also permanently removed change fees for all its flights, so everyJuan can plan ahead with peace of mind. Cebu Pacific continues to prioritize everyJuan’s safety as it strictly implements its multi-layered protocols on-ground and inflight, in accordance with
months to catch up on growth. “We are still early in the year to make changes. We have not yet seen the impact of ECQ in Q1…Although this ECQ and MECQ period may affect our growth, on the other hand, we still have 8 full months to recover,” said Chua. Economic managers earlier projected 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent growth in 2021, after the country’s gross domestic product contracted by 9.6 percent
in 2020 due to the pandemic. Enhanced community quarantine was imposed in late March after confirmed COVID-19 daily cases surged. The lockdown was lowered to the less strict modified ECQ until the end of the month. This year’s lockdowns were also different compared to the 2020 ECQ where almost every industry was put to a halt, said Chua, who is also head of the National Economic and
Development Authority. Prior to the heightened quarantine measures imposed this year, the Philippines made “significant improvements,” said Chua, citing trade gains as well as the recovery of jobs lost due to quarantine measures last year. Last January, Chua said that the economy would likely post positive growth only in the second quarter as the country was off to “a slow start” in the first three months of 2021.
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Oil prices up for PH economy has time to grow up to 7.5% 2nd straight week this year despite lockdowns, says NEDA
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otorists will have to pay more for petroleum products this week, as oil firms will hike pump prices for the second consecutive week. In separate advisories, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Seaoil Philippines Inc. said they will increase prices per liter of gasoline by P0.45, diesel by P0.35, and kerosene by P0.65. Cleanfuel and Petro Gazz will implement the changes, excluding kerosene which they do not carry.
The changes will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27, for all the firms except for Cleanfuel which will adjust prices at 4:01 p.m. the same day. Other firms have yet to make similar adjustments. Latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE) showed that year-to-date adjustments stand at a total net increase of P7.15 per liter for gasoline, P5.35 per liter for diesel, and P4.30 per liter for kerosene as of April 20, 2021.
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he Philippine economy has ample time to grow as much as 7.5 percent this year after imposing managed lockdowns which allowed exemptions for transport and other businesses, an economic manager said Monday. During the virtual preState of the Nation Address forum, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua said it’s too early to change the forecast as the country still has 8 more
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Cebu Pacific resumes its Davao-Clark route with a special P88 seat sale, in line with boosting connectivity across its wide domestic network. Beginning May 2, passen-
Chelsea Logistics posts net loss in ‘20 due to pandemic
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helsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings posted a net loss of P3.311 billion in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 and has initiated “painful” cost-cutting measures to stay afloat, it said. “Severe restrictions” imposed in mid-March 2020 due to COVID-19 dragged revenues down by 35 percent year-on-year to P4.679 billion, Chelsea Logistics said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. The Philippines imposed one of the world’s strictest and longest lockdowns which started in March 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19. The group implemented cost-cutting measures to mitigate losses including workforce rationalization, improved vessel utilization, route utilization, enhanced revenue management, disposal of aging and non-performing vessels, suspension of uncommitted capital expenditures
and other initiatives, it said. The freight segment, however, showed signs of recovery in the fourth quarter increasing revenues by 155 percent quarter-on-quarter, Chelsea Logistics said. “The 2020 financial results were disappointing with a wider loss compared to the previous year. However, we have seen some segment-specific recoveries in the fourth quarter. Throughout the year we continued to work on preparing the Group for a recovery that we see will happen by the second half of 2021,” said Chelsea president and CEO Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy. “The group’s cost-containment initiatives were painful but necessary to ensure its future viability and growth. This is a shortterm pain for long-term gain,” said Chelsea CFO Ignacia Braga IV. Chelsea Logistics earlier announced it would dispose its equity interest in its 2Go Group Inc business.
P250-M hog breeder facility to rise in Mati A P250 million hog breeder facility with a 2,400-sow level will be established this year in a 16-hectare area in Barangay Don Salvador Lopez, Sr. Mati City, Davao Oriental. It will be the second mega-hog breeding center to be built in Mindanao this year supporting the initiative of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to boost hog production in the region. Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the Mati City hog breeding facility is a partnership between Thailand’s biggest multi-national agro-industrial company, Charoen Pokphand Foods Corp. Philippines, and a Mindanao group, Orcas
Agrifishing Corp. “Orcas is composed of young Mindanao entrepreneurs led by Benjamin Rodriguez III along with several partners, including former basketball star Kenneth Duremdes. The Orcas/ CP Foods Swine Breeder Facility is the second major investment of CP Foods in the hog industry of Mindanao,” he said. The MinDA chief added that recently, CP Foods Philippines Vice-Chairman Sakol Cheewakoset led the
groundbreaking rites of their first hog breeder facility in Polomolok, South Cotabato which brings them together with an established business family of Nathaniel and Marivet Caballero of Ren & Rel Fishing Corp. “They also entered into a partnership with the Caballero family-owned Gensan Feed Mills in operating a huge feed milling facility also in Polomolok,” he further added. During the ground-breaking rites on Friday (April 23), Rodriguez, a Mati City native married to the daughter of South Cotabato businessman, Ben Tiu, said the facility will be operated by experts from
the Palimbang Entrepreneurs and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (PEARBCO). Based in Barangay Barongis, the cooperative, organized five years ago, is empowering the women, many of them wives of members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “It was a difficult struggle because we had to deal
with the age-old tradition that Moro women should just tend the home. Changing mindset does not come overnight, especially since most of these women have little education,” Crystal Ali Solaiman, PEARBCO general manager, told MindaNews. “Even my husband objected to the idea of a working Moro wife,” she added. With the help of government agencies such as
the departments of Agrarian Reform, Trade and Industry, and Agriculture, the cooperative engaged in the production of banana chips, bagoong (fermented fish), rice coffee and vinegar, among others, providing work directly to some 70 Moro women members. PEARBCO also helps indigenous peoples (IPs) and other marginalized folk earn income by buying and selling their colorful sleeping mats, shoulder
CP Foods Corporation to produce fatteners. “It is expected to benefit farmers who produce corn and other feed materials in the province and provide employment to locals. Most of all, the project is expected to boost Mindanao’s hog production as the country’s hog industry suffers from the unabated spread of the African Swine Fever,” Piñol further said. The Mindanao Hog Industry Development Program initiated by MinDA has proposed to CP Foods the establishment of similar hog breeding facilities in at least four more corn production areas of Mindanao, including North Cotabato.
and hand bags and baskets made of raw materials that are abundant in the locality such as nipa and nito. From just a little over two dozen regular members when it started, the cooperative has attracted at least 200 associate members that included not just Moro women but also MILF and MNLF members and their wives, farmers, fishermen, IPs and Christian settlers.
Moro wives form co-op to champion productivity, peace in Sultan Kudarat Dozens of married Moro women in this impoverished Muslim-dominated town have stepped out of the shadows of their largely patriarchal community. By finding work, these courageous women not only help bring food to the family table but, more importantly, contribute in fostering peace enjoyed by the townsfolk after decades of turmoil brought by the Moro rebellion and
“rido” or violent clan feuds in the area. Previously, it was unthinkable for Moro wives here to be working, having been brought up to be subordinate to their husbands, or relegated to the role “of obedient wives who must make the house in order and just tend to the needs of their children.” But times are changing and in this second-class municipality, the women formed themselves into
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On individuals and groups planning to stage a community pantry to always coordinate with the barangay and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for crowd-control:
Makaya ra na siya basta magcoordinate sa mga enforcers especially sa barangay ug sa DCPO. If we cannot implement the public health standards especially on distancing unya daghan ang mga tao then ma-defeat ang atong purpose na makatabang ta ug mga tao kay most likely duna’y transmission sa ingon ani nga gathering. Ang secret ana is proper coordination.”
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio
EDITORIAL Fakers, victims and enforcers Seventy-nine Davao-bound airline passengers have been caught submitting fake reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) test results, according to the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC).
City Tourism Operations Office (CTTMO) Head Generose Tecson said the erring passengers presented fake RT-PCR test results from different testing centers in the country. Most forged test results were from Philippine Red Cross and Lord’s Grace in Manila, many of which were without QR codes. There were also falsified test results coming from Cebu particularly University of Cebu Medical Center and Central Visayas Laboratory. Zamboanga is also a source of fake documents. A few cases involved passengers presenting fake test results from Cubao, Quezon City for a cost of P3,800 with receipt which upon arrival at the Davao International Airport (DIA) were found to be bogus. Time and again, passengers are reminded to get swabbed in legitimate hospitals and medical laboratories. But the reminders fell on deaf ears.
The test-before-travel requirement for all Davao-bound flight passen-
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Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has also warned Davao-bound passengers not to falsify their documents under pain of being arrested and charged criminally. Despite the law, the risk of being caught and charged in court and sufferpenalty, people keep on violating the requirement. Stubborn Filipinos who insist on their crooked ways should be taught a hard lesson. The authorities should be consistent in arresting them and always ready to put them behind bars. On the other hand, the violators are most likely victims themselves who have been hoodwinked by glib-tongued criminal operators to patronize their fake operation.
This is a big challenge to law enforcers who must be scratching their heads by now due to the problem. Being enforcers schooled in the ways of the criminal world, we can only wish they remain consistent to their sworn duty of upholding the law. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief
NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor
MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter
KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle
CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL GRACE M. BORDIOS Layout
LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ
OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales
gers is mandated by City Ordinance 0477-21, Series of 2021, providing for mandatory testing before entry into the city via the Davao International Airport.
SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance
CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)
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VANTAGE POINTS
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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!
HOLLYWOOD STARS ARE HUMANS, TOO Before I became a serious journalist, I was an entertainment writer. I used to write film reviews and biographies of Hollywood celebrities for Mod Magazine, Mr. & Ms., Focus Philippines, Special People, and Woman’s Home Companion. Unfortunately, all these magazines had already ceased publications. Last week, I went to the National Book Store at Gaisano Mall to buy magazines, where my byline appears. Since it was too early to go home, I decided to go to the book section to see new books. There was nothing that really interested me until I found one book: “Hollywood Trivia.” There was only one copy so I decided to buy it. On my way home, while riding a bus, I scanned some pages of the 315page book authored by Aubrey Malone who has written other books like “The Rise and Fall and Rise of Elvis” and “The Guinness Book of Humorous Irish Anecdotes.” I found out, while reading the book, that Hollywood stars are just like you and me. They are people who have fears, idiosyncrasies, weirdness, and peccadillos. They have their own bete noirés and pet peeves. Let’s take a closer look at some of them:
Robert Downey, Jr. (yes, the Avenger’s Ironman) was once a drug addict. In fact, his penchant for overdoing the cocaine/heroin thing has landed him behind bars. The same is true with Charlie Sheen, whose few violent experiences on coke saw him come close to losing not only his career but his life. Drew Barrymore (of “E.T.” distinction) became an alcoholic and a junkie when she was hardly out of the cradle but has now embraced an eco-friendly lifestyle. Star Wars’ Carrie Fisher dragged herself back from the hallucinations precipice to become a born-again author, “Postcards from the Edge.” Three-time Oscar winner Jack Nicholson has been snoring since the 1960s – sometimes even before the camera if we’re to believe the stories about the famous campfire scene in 1969’s “Easy Rider.” Dennis Hopper claimed that he was once so strung out on dope that he walked out onto the wing of a plane as it was about to take off. From drugs, let’s talked about food. For the last 15 years of his life, Howard Hughes lived almost entirely on ice cream. Elvis Presley, the junk-food addict, often gagged on his mixes of banana splits, cheeseburgers, and peanut butter sandwiches. To feed his cast members
during the shooting of “Apocalypse Now” (1979), Francis Ford Coppola flew in fresh pasta every week from Italy to the Philippines at a cost of U$8,000 a trip. Nick Nolte ate real dog food for a scene in “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” (1986) when he was showing a dog how to use a food bowl. When it comes to health and hygiene, Hollywood stars are more human than ordinary people. George Hamilton (who portrayed a vampire in “Love at First Bite”) is such a health fanatic that he has a private blood bank in his own house. Joan Crawford had all the bathtubs in her house removed, as she felt that it was unsanitary to sit in one’s own bathtub water. Walt Disney used to wash his hands up to third times an hour for hygiene purposes. They may be famous and receive huge salaries but there were some of them who were jailed. Robert Mitchum spent sixty days in jail in 1949 for possession of marijuana. Award-winning actor George C. Scott was put behind bars for a night after being drunk and disorderly. Burt Reynolds was sentenced to a week on a chain gang for vagrancy. Richard Pryor did ten days in jail once for failing to make out his income tax return.
Al Pacino, at the beginning of his career, spent three days in jail for possession of a concealed weapon. Italian actress Sophia Loren spent a month in the clink in 1982 for tax evasion, which her accountant euphemistically referred to as “a little error.” Zsa Zsa Gabor was sentenced to three days in jail for slapping a traffic cop in 1989. Before they became stars, they did odd jobs. Madonna was fired from Dunkin’ Donuts for squirting jam at a customer. Robert Redford was sacked from a construction site for losing his toolbox. Jerry Lewis was fired from a soda-fountain job after serving a banana split with the peel still on the banana. Peter Finch was sacked from a journalistic post after spilling a pitcher of water over an editor’s head. Just like Thanos, the following actors are southpaws: Robert De Niro, Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, W.C. Fields, Rock Hudson, Charlie Chaplin, Rex Harrison, Danny Kaye, Harpo Marx, and Terence Stamp. The 10 famous left-handed actresses are: Julia Roberts, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Shirley MacLaine, Olivia de Havilland, Betty Grable, and Joanne Woodward.
Adultery? Hollywood actors are famous for that. Gary Cooper had affairs with the Magnificent Seven – Anita Ekberg, Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, Clara Blow, Marlene Dietrich, Carole Lombard, and Tallulah Bankhead. What was interesting is that he wouldn’t leave his wife. In fact, Rocky had such tolerance of his philandering ways that she often let him stay at a separate hotel from hers when they were on vacation together. Michael Douglas checked himself into rehab in 1992 to battle sex addiction after his then wife Diandra caught him in bed with one of her best friends. Demi Moore filed for divorce in 1997 after allegedly finding Bruce Willis in bed with one of their friends. Now, let’s end this piece with the phobias of the stars. Maybe Madonna is not a fan of Thor; she is terrified of thunder. Whoopi Goldberg hates flying so much she says that she’d prefer to have her period. Katharine Hepburn has such a phobia about dirty hair that she used to go around movie sets sniffing people’s heads. Glenda Jackson suffered from claustrophobia while Joan Collins claims to be afraid of the dark. Now, you know why Hollywood stars are just like you and me?
ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD
CHARLIE SASIN, LEBANESE GUERRILLA Outside Americans and Europeans who fought on the side of Filipino guerrillas, there were also Asian and Middle Eastern citizens who sacrificed their lives in defense of the Filipino nation. For those who survived, they became honorable citizens of the republic, and many of them eventually embraced Filipino citizenship through naturalization. The name Chahin Najib Sasin may not ring a bell, but the man became a theatre operator and socio-civic leader in Davao region. Born in Kafarzabad, Al-Bekan, Lebanon, Sasin was born on August 19, 1911, two decades before his country gained freedom. The same year that Gen. Charles de Gaulle, later prime minister of France recognized Lebanon’s independence, Sasin, on board the vessel Derflenger, at the invitation of his relatives, the Borgailys, to join in their business venture in Davao, travelled to the Philip-
pines, reaching Manila on June 4, 1931. Upon arrival in Davao, Sasin managed the first Borgaily branch at Santa Ana as part-owner. The store was smaller than the main but was quite popular due to the fine Lebanese textiles, silks, and laces it exclusively sold. Eight years later, he took a Filipina wife; he married Ester Barles, originally from Nueva Ecija, in 1939, two years before the global conflict. During the war, Sasin brought his family to Samal where many of the Davaoeños also took refuge. He joined the fight against the Japanese forces and went into battle with the guerrillas. Given experience in marketing, he was handpicked to handle the distribution of goods under the supervision of the Philippine Constabulary Auxiliary Unit (PCAU). After the conflict, Borgaily’s
Store reopened but was housed in another building along San Pedro Street. Charlie decided to venture into movie business by opening the Universal theatre, directly competing with the Liberty theatre owned by the Carriedo family. Later, he opened Lyric and Crest cinema houses at San Pedro district but would suffer losses after fire hit the area on February 10, 1964, incinerating six business blocks. On January 27, 1950, now with two children (i.e., Anthony and Jamilla) from his marriage, Sasin filed for Filipino citizenship with the Court of First Instance of Davao, with Rafael C. Castillo, the former 1934 Constitutional Convention delegate of Davao, as legal counsel. As requirements for his application, treated as Special Case No. 25, he presented Tiburcio S. Cervantes and Antonio Hernandez as witnesses in his petition and submitted his residence certificate No. A-654953, issued
on January 23, 1950 in Davao City. The approval of Sasin’s Filipino citizenship, now officially known as Charlie Sasin, was approved on May 16, 1951 by Judge Enrique A. Fernandez of the Court of First Instance of Davao, later acting justice secretary. The Certificate of Naturalization was issued on the same day. In part the decision stated: [Sasin’s] relationships with the government and in the community in which he lives are and have been flawless. The applicant speaks and writes English and Tagalog. In the light of the above data, the Court thinks that the applicant meets all the conditions required by the naturalization law in force in the Philippines; and, having the applicant fulfilled the requirements established by this law; and, on the other hand, the naturalization law in force in Lebanon does not contain clauses that prohibit Filipinos
from acquiring citizenship of that nation, the Court agrees to the petition. By virtue of this, the Court declares the applicant, for all legal purposes, a Filipino citizen by naturalization. Once this decision is firm and enforceable, the Clerk of this Court is ordered to issue in favor of the applicant, Charlie Sasin, the letter of Philippine citizenship, and it will be registered in the civil registry. The effectivity of Sasin’s new citizenship did not take effect until May 16, 1953. After the two-year probationary period had elapsed since the decision was handed down, Fernandez issued an Order mandating the clerk of court, as a requirement before taking an oath of allegiance, “to issue the letter of Philippine citizenship to… Charlie Sasin” to be recorded in the Civil Registry as manded under Article 10 of Commonwealth Act No. 473..
8
EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 36• TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
COMPETITIVE EDGE
Aeon Luxe Properties Inc. (ALPI) VP for Sales & Marketing Almira Mariano during a recent turnover.
Move in early at Aeon Towers PascualLab gets CHOSEN
A
midst this looming pandemic, Pascual Laboratories, Inc. (PascualLab) and international child-focused organization World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. (World Vision) join hands to bring hope to children in need through the child sponsorship initiative, CHOSEN. Through CHOSEN, children are given the chance and opportunity to pick their sponsors. In most sponsorship programs, children sometimes wait for a long time before they get selected. Through this charity program, they are given the chance to take hold of their future by doing the choosing. To empower these underprivileged children in World Vision-assisted communities and to share them financial assistance and essentials through CHOSEN, the organization’s Philippine branch reached out to PascualLab, one of the most trusted pharmaceutical companies in the Philippines¹ and over 140 employees heeded the call. Through their sponsorship, PascualLab will be able to assist more than their original target of 75 children - a number symbolic of PascualLab’s years in the industry. And through this novel way of sponsorship, PascualLab hopes to help spread love, as its anniversary theme #PascualLove speaks of, during a time when it is so easy to see
things in a negative light. PascualLab Chairman of the Board, President and CEO Jose Augusto Pascual said: “In these bleak and uncertain times, people latch on to any glimmer of hope they can find in their dayto-day lives. And so late last year, when the World Vision team initially proposed the idea of their charity program CHOSEN, we thought it was something that could give a ray of light to those in need. For PascualLab, it would enable our Family Members to reach out to underprivileged Filipino children and to share some PascualLOVE, given the situation we were and still are in, and the challenges that we continue to face.” World Vision’s National Director Rommel Fuerte thanked PascualLab especially its volunteer employees, who signed up to be chosen as sponsors. “With your support, children and their families can have access to healthcare, quality education as well as programs on livelihood, safety, and spiritual development,” he said. The partnership was recently sealed in a virtual MoA signing between the two teams led by Fuerte and Pascual, Mia Pascual Cenzon, PascualLab VP for Corporate HROD and Design Services and Corporate Communications, and World Vision Director for Resource and Development Director Santos Godornes, Jr.
T
he waiting time for moving in to your new unit is over.
Anticipating the urgency to move in and the excitement that goes with moving into a new home, Aeon Towers recently launched an Early Move-in Promo for homeowners who would like to move-in right away into their beautiful condominium units at Aeon Towers. “Clients who purchased or is planning to acquire a unit at Aeon Towers can
avail this Spot Move-in promo at P500,000 (studio and1-bedroom standard) and P1M (1-bedroom suite, 2-bedroom and loft) at 0% interest for 20 months until December 31, 2021,” Aeon Luxe Properties Inc. (ALPI) VP for Sales & Marketing Almira Mariano said. Last April 13, the first client to avail of the promo was welcomed to the property by ALPI Sales Ad-
ministrative Manager Luis Dollesin at the Club Aeon, Aeon Towers. After visiting the unit for final inspection and discussing with the Property Manager the house rules and guidelines for a smooth move-in process, Dollesin said the new owner was ushered into the unit. The 33-level Aeon Towers, Mindanao’s first tallest skyscraper, recently added new locators to the building. The Philippine Business Bank opened its branch at
Aeon Towers recently. The new PBB branch opened on March 22 with FTC-GOCC Aeon Towers President and CEO Ian Y. Cruz and PBB Regional head 12-A Raymond Nonato presiding over the inauguration. Also in attendance were FTC-GOCC VP for Sales and Marketing Almira Mariano, VP for Operations Engr. Daniel Manalo and PBB Sales Manager Stephen Lim. Another locator Les Beute Lounge earlier joined the growing locators of Aeon Towers.
ers, processors, and wholesalers and exporters. The plenary session of the online forum was also attended by the LANDBANK Board of Directors and their alternates, namely Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary Luis Meinrado C. Pañgulayan, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez, Director Nancy D. Irlanda, Director Jesus V. Hinlo, Jr., Director Jaime L. Miralles, and Director Virgilio DV. Robes. As of March 31, 2021, LANDBANK’s total loan portfolio to the agriculture sector grew by 4.8%
to P229.70 billion from P219.24 billion last February. The increase is primarily attributed to a 9.5% rise in loans released to small, medium and large enterprises. This developed despite a recent report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) that total outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks for production to agriculture, forestry, and fishing fell by 6.1% year-on-year in February. Of the P229.70 billion in total outstanding loans to the sector, P36.27 billion benefitted small farmers and fishers, cooperatives and farmers’ associations, rural financial institutions and other conduits.
LANDBANK vows continued support to agri sector amid COVID-19 as loans reach P229.7-B in Q1
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he Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) conveyed its steadfast commitment to provide responsive financing to farmers, fishers, and other players in the agribusiness value chain during the culmination of its Online Stakeholder’s Consultation Forum on April 22, 2021. LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo assured stakeholders of the Bank’s continued efforts in addressing emerging challenges and issues faced by clients in accessing agricultural credit amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We welcome the issues raised and suggestions gathered from clients during the focus group discussions, and
we commit to provide direct and time-bound solutions. Listening to the voice of the customer is high in our agenda as it helps us improve on the delivery of our products and services,” according to Borromeo. The Online Stakeholder’s Consultation Forum was conducted last March as a venue for knowledge sharing on concrete actions that will help LANDBANK improve the accessibility of its lending products and services, especially under the new normal. Online survey and focus group discussions were conducted to gain insights and suggestions from farmers and fishers, agri-input suppliers, aggregators and trad-
9 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 36• TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
BINGE DRINKING IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUTH’S HEALTH By HENRYLITO D. TACIO
H
aving a beer at the end of the workday or a glass of wine during dinner might be described as a North American and European tradition. Having a drink is also regarded by many as essential to a successful social life. A swimming party or the local bars are often the setting advertisers use to capture younger consumers, particularly the socalled millennials, by portraying drinking as cool.
Beer drinking has been portrayed as a national pastime, with some advertising campaigns linking it to Filipino pride. “My father and older brothers drink,” admits 22-year-old Norman, who works as a call center agent. “Our party is not a party without beer.” Studies have shown that an average Filipino family spends one percent of its income on alcoholic beverages. In recent years, wine consumption among Filipinos increases by 10% each year. Unknowingly, Filipinos who do party appear to be consuming more alcohol than they could take. The overall increase is largely attributable that more youngsters are now drinking. In a survey conducted by the University of the Philippines, 60% of Filipino youths today are drinking alcoholic beverages. Even at a young age, Filipino teenagers are starting to drink already. A study conducted by the East-West Center (EWC) in Hawaii showed 11% of boys began to drink by age 15. Only 4% of the girls commenced to drink at that age. “More than half of all the boys who drink also smoke or use drugs,” disclosed the findings of the study which
focused on adolescent drinking, smoking and drug use. “By contrast, most girls who drink only drink.” Most of these teenagers are not aware of the repercussions they are courting. Robert remembers little of his blackout – a lack of memory for events that occur during a night of heavy drinking – except that he attended a party along with some of his friends in Sasa, Davao City. “I must have drunk at least 10 bottles of beer,” recalled the 20-year-old salesman who at the time the event happened was graduating from college. At around 1 A.M., they decided to go home. His friends thought he was alright and so they left him alone at the bar. “I really didn’t know how I got home,” he said. “I also didn’t know how I lost my mobile phone and my wallet.” Seventeen-year-old Marc remembers gulping “way too many” alcoholic drinks after a Friday afternoon class with two of his friends in a nearby bar in Cebu City. First, they ordered whiskeys, then more whiskeys. “It’s as if we were drinking only fruit juices,” Marc said. At 10 P.M., they decided to drink some beers. Marc
was half-way of the bottle when he suddenly had the urge to vomit. He stood up and before he could run to the comfort room, he was already vomiting. He didn’t know what happened next, but he found himself outside the bar. Twenty-one-year old Marianne was having a grand time drinking together with her friends on the sixth floor of a building in Pasay City. She didn’t remember how many glasses of wine she had drunk but the following day she found herself at the hospital and was told she could not walk or talk again. “Because she was drunk, some people thought she fell or got thrown from the building. Or she may have walked out of the building completely drunk and some bad guys kicked her out on the back and left her that way,” a friend surmised. Fortunately, Marianne was able to talk again but still in a wheelchair. Alarming level “The cases of alcoholic drinking among the youngsters (between the age of 13 to 21 years old) have reached the alarming level compared to the recent past,” observed Ray Ryan Rigor, a nurse from the emergency room in a Davao hospital. “I can personally attest to this as I have witnessed college students engaged in heavy drinking till the wee hours.” Many of these youngsters – some of them good kids – are involved in binge drinking. Some of them may be lucky but there are those who may end up in the hospitals or at worst may die in an accident. Most Filipinos appreciate a cold beer on a hot day or a glass of wine at dinner. That kind of responsible use of alcohol is a social lubricant that makes life a little
more pleasant. But binge drinking is a different story. Anne Mullens, in an article published by Reader’s Digest, offers this explanation: “Call it getting tanked, sloshed, blotto – binge drinking is typically defined as consuming five or more drinks for a man and four or more drinks for a woman on a single occasion. “That’s enough to impair judgement, impede coordination, remove inhibitions, cause slurring of words – and potentially put someone at risk of serious health or social consequences, lasting brain damage and even death,” she adds. A national survey from 1989 to 1990 in the Philippines among 15,082 high school and first year and second year college students found out that about 36% of high school students and 34.9% of college students had “used alcohol in their lifetime.” Of high school students, 2.3% had “used alcohol that same day,” and 5.6% had “used alcohol in the past two to seven days.” Whether in industrialized or developing countries, binge drinking among teenagers show the same pattern. “Young people in developing countries are increasingly drinking in the same harmful patterns as young people in developed countries,” reports the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO). This is truer in the Philippines. “In campuses and colleges, binge drinking occurs during acquaintance night, promenades, victory balls and pre-graduation parties. So, there’s always something for these students to do and get drunk,” said Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, a medical toxicologist. Outside schools, binge drinking happens during
special occasions like Christmas celebrations, New Year’s Eve, birthday and wedding parties, and even during wakes. The words “alcoholic abuse” and “problem drinker” typically conjure up the image of a chronic alcoholic. But binge drinking is more of a public-health problem than alcoholism as it affects a higher percentage of young drinkers. Mullens warns: “Unaccustomed to alcohol, young people often rapidly consume excessive amounts that push their blood alcohol concentrations to dangerously high levels. Since it takes at least 30 minutes for alcohol to be fully absorbed by the small intestine and enter the bloodstream, binge drinkers can ingest a fatal dose of alcohol before passing out.” Surge of drinking among youths What are the main reasons why there is now a surge of drinking among young people? In a survey conducted by the author, peer pressure has been cited as the main culprit. “It is a potent cause of more and widespread teen drinking of alcohol nowadays,” says Mariano Patalinjug, a father of four children. “By drinking, they are seeking approval from their friends. Because if their friends are drinking and they are not, they’re going to be ranked down.” The media and the advertisements are also partly to be blamed. A study done in the United States has shown that young people who are exposed to advertisements for alcohol are likely to drink more. For every beer bought in the country, 80% of what the consumer pays reportedly are spent on advertising. In some instances, parents also drive teenagers to
drink. According to Peter R. Neñeria, a college student from the Ateneo de Davao University who conducted an investigative report on adolescent drinking, “parents who are extremely strict can cause their kids to become rebellious. In reprisal, children would ignore advice given to them and may even do the opposite like drinking and going home late at night.” In addition, children who are not supervised by their parents (as they are very busy with their work and seldom see the activities of their children outside their homes) are also likely to drink. “And also, maybe, the breakdown of the morals of our young,” says Rigor. “It is very palpable even in our city.” There are several other reasons. Dr. Hartigan-Go summarizes them in these words: “Curiosity, low self-esteem and wanting to belong, taking risks and feeling invincible and challenging authority figures.” Health hazards In Othello, William Shakespeare penned: “I would not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains.” The father of English literature was actually talking about alcoholic drinking. So, why so much ado about drinking? “Harmful use of alcohol,” the United Nations health agency reports, “is associated with more than 60 types of diseases and other health conditions, including mental disorders and suicide, several types of cancer, and other noncommunicable as well as intentional and unintentional injuries. “It also is associated with other high-risk behaviors, including unsafe sex and the use of other psychoactive substances,” the WHO
FBINGE, P10
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VOL.14 ISSUE 36• TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
PANTRY... FROMP2
proper coordination with the barangay and DCPO to manage the crowd. “Last year naghatag ta ug advice sa mga gusto magdistribute ug assistance sa communities they need to coordinate with our barangays especially sa
atoang DCPO ug PSSSCC para matabangan sila sa pag-organize ug pag-control sa mga tao,” she said. Community pantries are now surfacing in Davao City: Roxas Community Pantry along Roxas Avenue, Cabaguio, and Agdao.
military experience, Col. Maquiling has an impressive academic background, including earning a Master’s Degree in International Affairs at the Trustees of Columbia University in New York, USA. Sustaining Kagitingan’s Feats Col. Maquiling, who is the 15th Commanding Officer of the 701st Brigade, vowed to continue what his predecessors have started in the effort of securing and sustaining the peace in the Brigade’s area of responsibility. Citing his previous commanders who molded and inspired him to practice the value of being audacious, deliberate, and motivated — the attributes he believes are needed to become a successful army leader, Col. Maquiling vowed to employ these qualities in his leadership. “With audacious, deliberate, and motivated men, Team 701 would render excellent service to the people of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and the adjoining areas of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur,” he said. “We have already gained significant headway. Numerous Guerilla Fronts were dismantled, conflictaffected areas were cleared from communist influence, leading to numerous surrenders of guerilla fighters and the loss of errant terrorists who insist on fighting our vigilant troops. With these gains, I will be steering a campaign not only to sustain and protect what we have accomplished,” said Col. Maquiling. “Along with previous commanders who made remarkable achievements that made Davao Oriental and all adjoining areas geared for peace, progress, and development, I will build from your gains and successes, sirs,” he added. Moving Forward Meanwhile, Outgoing Commander Brigadier General Mortela, who
will be taking over the commandership of the 702nd Infantry Brigade based in Camp Tito Abat in Manaoag, Pangasinan, received applause from top military and government officials for his accomplishments. Under his command, the Brigade achieved many feats including the pursuit of its intensified military operations to decisively defeat the remnants of the Weakened Guerilla Front 18, North Front, South Front, and Former Guerilla Front 14. “It is precisely because of his good leadership that he will now be transferred to Luzon,” said Major General Rosario. “I know that Brig. Gen. Mortela has made a very positive impact in Davao Oriental due to his strong and effective leadership, and his support of the Lumon community. For that, I commend you for bringing pride and honor to the 7th Infantry Division, and for the brigade’s good performance in its active support to the 10th Infantry Division which has operational control over the Kagitingan Brigade in Mindanao,” he added. Brig. Gen. Mortela expressed his gratitude to the provincial and local government units headed by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and other stakeholders who “worked side by side with the Brigade.” “I don’t claim any accomplishment or credit in all the units I have been to. Kayo lahat ang gumawa ng trabaho kaya maayos nating naisagawa ang ating misyon. (You were the ones who did the job. That’s why we accomplished our mission),” said Brig. Gen. Mortela. Col. Maquiling who hails from Cagayan de Oro is a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Class “Sambisig” of 1991. Brig. Gen. Mortela, on the other hand, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Tanglaw Diwa” of 1992. (KLDeloso)
raised alarm over possible transmission of COVID-19 cases. “Patuloy ang pagregulate with 24-7 na nagbabantay (Regulation is continuing 24-7 with someone guarding) advising people that they have to follow health protocols, observe physical distancing ,” Rellon said. The City Government also limits only up to 9:00 o’clock in the evening when the parks are closed from public entry. Mayor Rellon also had plans of installing barriers at designated entrance and exit points to regulate
the use of Freedom Park, Rizal Park and even the Historical Center. TCHCC houses the 1,000- seater amphitheater which is the only facility of its kind in Davao del Norte and nearby provinces. It puts together Tagum City’s Public Library, its museum and the Learning of Commons. TCHCC and the Rizal and Freedom parks at its vicinity have been opened to the public since March 8 after the conduct of four series of blessing rites and indigenous people (IP) rituals. (PIA XI Jeanevive Duron Abangan)
NEW... FROMP2
TAGUM... FROMP3
COUNCILOR... FROMP2
and tight timeline situation, AAII could deliver its commitment to produce daily 300 million liters of potable water at the end of the year. It was learned that Apo Agua, a joint venture of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. and JV Angeles Construction Corp., has hired a total of4,500 workers to build the project from its source in Tamugan and its 56-kilometer distribution line to meet the household, commercial and industrial water needs of at least 75 percent of Davao City’s population of close to 1.8 million, according to NEDA report as of 2020. Dayanghirang said he has been in constant contact with Tuason and has visited the various jobsites of Apo Agua and has witnessed the progress of the construction.
The veteran city lawmaker said he has special interest in the project as the water problem of the Second District has become his advocacy as elected official for years now. He said the hundreds of thousands of Dabawenyos residing in the Second District are eagerly awaiting the completion of the bulk water supply as it means the end of their decades-old inadequate supply of potable water. The completion of the project would definitely enhance the growth and development of the Second District, which is now the locale of many real estate projects and commercial and industrial establishments which are mostly water intensive, Dayanghirang said. (With report from DAISY ENCABO)
ALI is expecting to launch another P13 billion worth of project and this includes Phase 1 of the development for its property in Toril and further development for Azuela Cove in Lanang, Davao City. Apart from Azuela Cove, ALI’s projects in Davao City includes condominium developments Avida Towers and Abreeza Estate. Mondejar added that Manuel also shared during the online meeting that ALI’s business in Davao City has been fruitful for the past few years. “They were able to invest a total of P21.55 billion since 2011. He (Manuel) also shared that their future projects will cost P19.22 billion,” she said in an email interview. During the online meeting, Manuel also raised some of ALI’s concerns and requested the assistance of DCIPC. “Manuel understands that the current pandemic causes some government services to be delayed. He then shared their concern on the pending local permits if the DCIPC can assist in following up,”
Mondejar said. The CEO visit is one of the programs of DCIPC in promoting the city’s investment potentials. It aims to learn about the future plans and projects of prospective and existing companies in Davao. The online visit is a tool utilized by DCIPC to solicit comments, suggestions and recommendations on how the City of Davao through DCIPC can assist, engage with CEOs of companies with the potential to invest in the city and to promote the industries and districts fit for the particular business. Meanwhile, Azuela Cove is a joint venture project of ALI and the Alcantara Group (AG) in Lanang, Davao City. The 25-hectare former wood factory is set to be transformed into a master planned, mixed-use community that will include residential low to mid-rise towers, commercial lots, offices, an events venue and a waterside cove with some retail components. Azuela Cove is being positioned to be the first prime waterfront lifestyle district in Davao City. By Maya M. Padillo
Singcoy died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds on the head and body. His wife Akiba, 43, was hit in her left leg while his younger brother Aldrin, 18, sustained a gunshot wound in the abdomen. Another companion identified as Rolando Flores, 44, was unhurt in the attack. Police responders recovered from the ambush
site at least 16 spent shells of a .45 caliber handgun. Hilado said Akiba and Aldrin are undergoing treatment in separate hospitals here under tight security. He said investigators are currently gathering statements from witnesses to establish the identity of the suspects and the possible motive of the attack.
Ghastly past Created on August 14, 1959, this town has been a known hotbed of the Moro struggle. Palimbang was the site of one of the most horrific atrocities committed by state forces against the Moro people – the Palimbang or Malsibong Massacre of 1974., where some 1,500 male Moros were killed, some ordered
to dig their own graves along the shorelines, according to published documentations and testimonies of survivors. The victims were herded inside the mosque in Barangay Malisbong where some of them were shot to death by soldiers, a grave violation of human rights under President Ferdinand Marcos’s martial law.
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EX-SARANGANI... FROMP3
MORO... FROMP5
BINGE... FROMP9
adds. The EWC study affirms: “Virtually no young people – boys or girls – use drugs without also drinking or smoking.” According to WHO, “young people are more likely to suffer from alcohol-related traffic accidents, violence and family disruptions related to harmful use of alcohol than other age groups.” Recent medical studies also show that young people, whose brains are still developing, may be at greater risk than mature adults of lasting brain damage from heavy alcohol consumption. “In general, when the level of alcohol exceeds the limit of liver metabolism threshold, the ethanol goes straight to another organ system and starts destroying the cells,” Dr. Hartigan-Go explains. “Often, we see nerve damage centrally and peripherally. Alcohol abuse leads to vitamin B1 deficiency, causing malnutrition, psychosis, memory loss, and inability to control neuro muscular movements.” Another tragic danger of alcoholic drinking – one often wrapped in stigma and silence - is the risk of death from alcohol poisoning, also called alcohol overdose. Medical science said alcohol is a central-nervous-system depressant, and it is fatally toxic at high levels. When blood alcohol levels climb rapidly, the body’s natural reflex is to vomit to purge itself of the poison. Drinking too much too fast can shut down key bodily functions such as gag reflexes, breathing, heart rate and brain function. The result can be choking on vomit, coma or cardiac arrest. Since drinking is an acceptable social behavior among Filipinos, most physicians don’t consider alcohol poisoning as probable cause of death. As a result, doctors or coroners end up writing “asphyxiation” or “cardiac arrest” as the cause of death. Reducing binge drink-
ing
supports and even encourages community pantries as this has been a traditional practice in the country as part of Bayanihan culture and spirit especially in times of calamities and disasters. “We are not discouraging it” Roldand said, adding that “in fact DILG is encouraging people to come up with their own strategies to help other people but not to the point to be used for political purposes,” he said. He said people should not allow themselves to be used for political ends of some individuals using this kind of initiative. “We will be too naive to believe that this will not be used by the other side for their political ends,” he said.
Meanwhile, PRO 11 director Brigadier General Filmore Escobal said that organizers must adhere to all the existing laws and local ordinances to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “We will allow them for as long as they will not violate the health protocols. They can proceed with the distribution as long as they will not commit any crime,” Escobal said. Escobal also told the public to be vigilant in receiving food assistance out of this community pantry because he said it cannot be denied that there are some organizers who are using the initiative to incite those who will be given aid to join activity that is against the government.
global aviation standards. Contactless procedures, thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols, and mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields are observed for both guests and crew. CEB frontliners are also required to undergo antigen testing before duty while CEB aircraft are equipped with hospital-grade HEPA filters that are proven to eliminate virus with 99.9% efficacy. Passengers are advised to update their contact de-
tails via https://bit.ly/ CEBUpdateInfo to receive email notifications on flight reminders and updates. CEB reminds everyJuan to check and prepare all travel requirements prior their travel - visit https ://bit.ly/CEBFlightReminders for more information. CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines and currently flies to 32 domestic destinations on top of its six international destinations.
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As young people and teenagers are still not much aware of what they are doing, it is the responsibility of the parents and guardians to do something about it. Parents particularly have a key role in reducing binge drinking among their children. “The importance of teenagers’ closeness to their parents and their responsiveness to parental attitudes suggest that efforts to prevent teen drinking, smoking and drug use should enlist the participation of parents,” the EWC study recommended. “Keep off their children from so many temptations,” suggests Rigor, also a father. “What I mean about this? Parents should always check on their children, their activities and the friends they keep.” Parents should also be responsible enough not to serve alcohol to their teenage children. “If you care for your children, you need to show your love and concerns,” says Jims Vincent Capuno, a father who as much as possible doesn’t drink in front of his children. That’s one. Another is talking with teens openly about the risks of binge drinking. “Show them the cause and effects of drinking too much,” suggests Tony Peralta, also a father. “I brought my son to the morgue to show what happens when a drinking spree can result in a car accident. I also showed him what happens to our intestines when we drink too much.” More importantly, parents should serve as role models for their children. “Children learn from their parents,” says Patrick Durst, a father and retired UN official. “If your kids see you get in a car and drive while drunk, then it’s pretty hard to tell them not to do the same. Instead, show your kids how to drink responsibly – by drinking responsibly yourself.” (Photos: istockphoto.com)
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Gilas Pilipinas is set to return to training after the release of clearance from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Gilas: Back to the Bubble Former SEA Games champ Basadre passes away
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he Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) is saddened about the sudden passing of former Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist Genebert Basadre. Ed Picson, ABAP’s secretary general, confirmed Basadre’s death on Sunday night. Basadre was 37 years old. “He was so young and was dedicated, soft-spoken and well-liked. The news is startling, to say the least,” Picson said. According to the information ABAP obtained, Basadre collapsed on Monday while he was at his home in Cagayan de Oro City. Upon getting confined at the Polymedic Plaza Hospital, Basadre somehow got better by Tuesday, but he suddenly fell to a coma afterward. Basadre was declared
dead earlier Sunday. He was among ABAP’s prime fighters during the 2000’s. The welterweight won bronze medals in world ranking events in Europe from 2002 to 2003. Basadre’s big breakthrough came in 2005 when he won it all in the SEA Games in Bacolod City. The following year, he captured a silver in the Tammer Cup in Tampere, Finland and a bronze in the Asian Games in Doha. His last hurrah came in 2009 when he won a silver in the King’s Cup in Thailand. Despite what looks like a solid amateur resume that would have made him a bright pro boxing prospect, Basadre retired from the game at the turn of the decade and focused fully with the Philippine Army, although he would still coach Cagayan de Oro-based pugilists at times. (PNA)
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ilas Pilipinas is set to return to training after the release of clearance from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Headlining those who are called up for training are special Philippine Basketball Association Gilas draft picks Matt Nieto, Mike Nieto, Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, Jordan Heading, William Navarro, Tzaddy Rangel, and JD Tungcab. College basketball stars Kenmark Carino, Javi Gomez de Liano, Dave Ildefonso, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, Justine Baltazar, Jason Credo, Geo
Chiu, Lebron Lopez, and naturalization candidate Ange Kouame have been summoned too. Dwight Ramos, who is still in the United States, has been called up as well and will quickly enter the Gilas training bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba once he arrives. Also, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is working on bringing Kai Sotto in as he is set to join
the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian NBL this season. “The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas heeded the instructions of the Philippine Sports Commission when they asked all national athletes to halt their training during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). When the IATF announced that they will be lifting those limitations, we immediately worked on getting the team back together,” SBP presi-
dent Al Panlilio said on Sunday night. Calamba, like the rest of Laguna and the NCR Plus areas, is under the modified ECQ. Although sports training, in general, is not yet allowed, the IATF gave Gilas the green light to resume with two major events, the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers third window in Angeles and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, coming up this June. (PNA)
Draymond Green assisted on a go-ahead hoop by Kelly Oubre Jr. with 1:42 to play and then followed in a Stephen Curry miss 34 seconds later, helping the Golden State Warriors outfinish the visiting Sacramento Kings for a 117-113 victory Sunday night. A second straight win pushed Golden State (3130) over .500 in its pursuit of a playoff spot in the Western Conference and gave the Warriors a 2-1 season-series victory over their Northern California rival. The loss was critical to the Kings (24-36), who fell 6 1/2 games behind Golden State in the playoff chase. In a game matching teams that had split home blowout wins earlier in the
season -- the Warriors by 31 in January, the Kings by 22 in March -- neither team led by more than nine and entered the fourth quarter separated by just two points, with Golden State up 94-92. After four ties and three lead changes in the final period, the Warriors trailed 111-110 after a Tyrese Haliburton layup with 1:55 to play before Oubre dropped in his big hoop. Richaun Holmes had a chance to tie the game and put the Kings ahead, but missed two free throws, after which Curry couldn’t connect from the interior. But Green got to the ball first, tipping it in to give Golden State a three-point cushion. Haliburton got Sacra-
mento within 114-113 on a layup with 18.5 seconds remaining, and the Kings caught a break when Curry missed one of two free throws with 9.2 seconds left. But Harrison Barnes, who had hit five of his first eight 3-point attempts, misfired on a potential game-winning 27-footer. Fouled with seven-tenths of a second remaining after grabbing the rebound, Curry capped a 37-point game with two clinching free throws. Curry’s game-high point total came despite an uncharacteristic three misses at the foul line in 11 attempts. He shot 11-for-21 from the field and 7-for-14 on 3-pointers.
Oubre chipped in with 19 points, Andrew Wiggins 13, Mychal Mulder 11 and Juan Toscano-Anderson 10 for the Warriors, who opened a three-game homestand with a 118-97 win over Denver on Friday. Golden State has won four in a row at home. Green finished with game-highs in rebounds with 14 and assists with 13 to complement eight points. Hitting six 3-pointers, Buddy Hield had a teamhigh 25 points, Haliburton 24 to go with a team-high eight assists and Barnes 23 for the Kings, who lost for the 11th time in their last 13 games. Holmes also scored in double figures for Sacramento with 11 points.
Green, Curry lift Warriors over Kings
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Molina reports to Indiana Fever WNBA training camp F
ilipino-American guard Chanelle Molina has reported to the Indiana Fever training camp, where she will try to make the team’s final roster of 12 players.
Molina, who was ers in Indiana’s training born and raised in Ha- camp roster, with only waii to Filipino parents, 12 slots available. This was signed to a training includes Kysre Goncamp contract by the drezick, whom the FeFever in February. At the ver took with the fourth time, she was playing overall pick in the 2021 in Sweden’s DamLigan WNBA Rookie Draft. for the Norrkoping DolIn February, Moliphins. na expressed her conIndiana posted a few fidence that she can photos of Molina this clinch a spot in the Feweekend, as the team ver’s regular season rosgears up for its training ter thanks to her experishows Senator PiainCayetano camp at File thephoto Salesforce ence playing overseas. during a ceremonial kickoff at the gonna Tionko work my Court in Indianapolis. “I’m Field.play- tail off, and I’m not gonThereFootball are 20
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Fil-Am player Chanelle Molina hopes to make it to the WNBA Indiana Fever roster.
na let this opportunity go to waste. So, I’ll try my best and represent all the Filipino ballers out there,” said Molina, who played Division 1 basketball for Washington State but went undrafted in 2020. The Fever officially starts its training camp on Sunday (Monday in Manila). Their first regular season game is scheduled for May 16 against the New York Liberty on May 22
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