Edge Davao Volume 15 Issue 6 | Wednesday, April 20, 2022

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VOL.15 ISSUE 6 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

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MAKING POLLS

PEACEFUL Davao City gov’t to assist Comelec in ensuring poll security STORY ON PAGE 2

The long queue of vehicles is now gone at Sasa Ferry Wharf as the situation in the area is back to normal after the observance of the Lenten season when Dabawenyos and people from nearby provinces have trooped to Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) to spend the Holy Week.

Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 6 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a meeting with key government officials prior to his “Talk to the People”at the Malacañan Palace on April 18, 2022. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MAKING POLLS PEACEFUL Davao City gov’t to assist Comelec in ensuring poll security

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he head of Davao City’d Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) assured the city government of Davao will be assisting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring security against election-related incidents during the May 9 local and national elections.

“Sa atoa sa part sa city government what we have to do is to support the needs of the security ug unsa lang ang matabang sa city. But for the

meantime ang ga-renda gyud ani is ang Comelec.

Ang atoa is ang pag monitor,” PSSCC head Angel Sumagaysay said on Monday.

He said that the enforcement agencies, police, and the military are under the direct supervision of the Comelec during the conduct of elections.

“Everytime naa’y elections naa ta’y augmentations considering na daghan ta ug voting centers and lagyo pud.

So daghan ahensiya ang nagtinabangay ubos sa mando ug leadership sa Comelec,” he said.

he Davao City Police Office (DCPO) remains vigilant to ensure an orderly election despite the absence of an election area of concern or hotspot here.

“The DCPO personnel will be beefed up by trainees from the Regional Training Center 11 – Philippine Public Safety College,” DCPO spokesperson

Maj. Teresita Gaspan said over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday.

All police personnel whether on leave or at school can be called for duty during the election, she said.

“We are on full alert status during the elections. Even if others are at school or on leave, everyone should serve but with

consideration for emergencies,” Gaspan said.

Meanwhile, Gaspan reminded Dabawenyos to continue adhering to the minimum public health standards, particularly the mandatory wearing of face masks, even if the city remains to be under the Alert Level 1.

Regionwide monitoring

Sumagaysay added that Davao City is still lucky because there are no areas here that are considered areas of concern during elections.

“So medyo hapsay ni sa paminaw sa security sector ang pag atiman sa Davao City. Katong gi-consider nato na area of concern sa pagkakaron very clear na siya sa mga bad elements at least dako ni siya na relief sa

In other areas, the Police Regional Office in Davao Region (PRO-11) identified the towns of Sta. Cruz, Matanao, Magsaysay, Malalag, Hagonoy and Padada in Davao del Sur; New Corella in Davao del Norte; and Monkayo in Davao de Oro as under the yellow category or with mild risk of violence.

FMAKING, P10

Davao City cops on high alert despite no election hotspots T FDAVAO, P10

DENR-11 starts clearing ops of campaign posters from trees

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he Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao Region (DENR11) started Monday the massive clearing operation of election campaign posters displayed on trees along major thoroughfares in the region.

This came about as supporters of some candidates earned the ire of netizens who took to social media to point out that campaign posters are being nailed even on decade-old trees.

DENR-11 Director Bagani Fidel Evasco reminded local and national candidates to educate their supporters not to post (nail or wire) their campaign materials on naturally growing or planted trees as it injures or damages them.

“It is a clear violation of the Republic Act No. 3571, an act that prohibits the cutting, destroying, or injuring of planted or growing trees, flowering plants, and shrubs, or plants of scenic value along public roads, in plazas, parks, school premises or any other public ground,” Evasco told reporters here Monday.

In the same manner,

he said Presidential Decree 953 also prohibits “cutting, destroying, damaging, or injuring naturally grown or planted trees of any kind, flowering or ornamental plants and shrubs, or plants of scenic, aesthetic and ecological value, along public roads, in plazas, parks other than national parks, or in any other public ground or place.”

Evasco said these acts are punishable with imprisonment not less than six months and not more than two years. Violators also face a fine of not less than five hundred pesos and not more than five thousand pesos, or both at the discretion of the court.

Meanwhile, Atty.

Gay Enumerables, the Commission on Elections in Davao Region (Comelec-11) assistant regional director and spokesperson, also reiterated to political supporters that they can only post on common posting areas.

Oversized posters are considered unlawful as well, he said, adding that property owners are entitled to materials that are posted on private properties. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 6 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

NEWS

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Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, praises President Rodrigo Duterte for signing into law four local hospital bills which all seek to improve the delivery of healthcare services in various parts of the country. Edge Davao

UniTeam commits to continue PRRD’s reform programs: Sara Terroristic acts won’t be tolerated, Duterte tells political candidates

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resident Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday urged political candidates running for the May 9 polls to follow the rule of law and refrain from sowing chaos to gain advantage during the remainder of the election period.

The chief executive made the remark during his weekly Talk To The People after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año received numerous reports of gun ban violations.

In his weekly briefing, President Duterte indicated that he would initiate the arrest of candidates who would resort to violence and coercion during the election period.

“Tandaan ninyo, hindi kami papayag sa gobyerno na magkaroon ng terrorism sa eleksyon. Wala kaming kinakampihan,” the President said.

“We will enforce the law to make the elections peaceful.”

He also warned politicians on the employment of private armies, telling them to limit the number of armed guards based on the Alunan Doctrine.

Former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III introduced the Alunan Doctrine, which deems two or more armed persons to be a private army that should be disarmed by the government.

“I’ve communicated this to the Cabinet that ang rules should really be followed, ‘yung Alunan Doctrine na lang. Mas maganda ‘yun. That more than two bodyguards would be considered a private army,” he stressed.

Those who will be found violating the policy would run the risk being arrested and prosecuted, he warned.

At the same time, political candidates concerned about their safety should inform law enforcement authorities so that appropriate measures could be taken, the chief executive said.

“Kung sino man ‘yung mga kandidato, you limit yourself and if you think there is danger to your person in a certain place or a certain person, ipatawag ng RD (regional director)

FTERRORISTIC, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ice Presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio assured that the BBM-Sara UniTeam will continue the reforms accomplished by her father, President Rodrigo Duterte.

Speaking before the mammoth crowd during the first Uniteam Grand Rally in City de Mari, Filinvest Grounds, Cebu City on Monday, Mayor Sara vowed she and running mate Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, will continue the ‘Build Build

Build” program of the Duterte administration.

“Una na ang Build Build Build program niya-kuryente, tubig, tulay, skyway, subway-importante kini nga magdala ug peace and development sa mga lugar kung asa siya buhaton,” she said.

Mayor Sara also said

that the UniTeam promised to sustain the anti-crime gains of President Duterte.

“Mao kana ang duha ka mensahe nga ginakampanya namo sa tibuok nasud, panaghiusa natong tanan ug kalinaw,” she said.

The mayor also met earlier with parallel groups and campaigned for her main advocacies which she called the “most immediate” resolve for all Filipinos after the pandemic.

T

Sumagaysay said PSSCC eyed a zero-incident Holy Week and that the security plan was fully implemented.

“Proud to say na ang Holy Week nato natapos nga generally peaceful and wala ta’y natala na Holy Week related sig-

nificant incident, petty crimes naa. Again na achieve nato sa security plan for Semana Santa ug na achieve nato ang goal na zero incident,” Sumagaysay said on Monday via Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).

Sumagaysay said that

“Tulo ka butang amoang gina-ingon nga importante sa atong nasud—trabaho, dekalidad nga edukasyon sa atong mga anak, ug malinawong pagpamuyo dinhi sa atong lugar,” she said.

Mayor Sara emphasized that Filipinos are united and only have one color.

“Mga isog ug mga masipag nga Pilipino,” she said.

Meanwhile, the grand rally was joined by hun-

security forces were visible where Lenten-related activities were conducted to ensure the safety of the Dabawenyos.

Other members of the security forces from the 10th Infantry Division,10th Regional Com-

FUNITEAM, P10

Zero incidents during Holy Week in Davao City

he Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) announced that it has achieved its security plan for the Holy Week as no incident was reported throughout the celebration of the Lenten Season.

PSSCC head Angel

FZERO, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 6 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

Agriculture Secretary William Dar promises to intensify efforts to weed out corruption within the Department of Agriculture (DA), saying that he will not hesitate to put heads on the chopping block for alleged involvement in smuggling of agri-fishery products. Edge Davao

DA chief says ‘heads will roll over agri-fishery smuggling’ A

griculture Secretary William Dar vowed to intensify efforts to weed out corruption within the Department of Agriculture (DA), saying that he will not hesitate to put heads on the chopping block for alleged involvement in smuggling of agri-fishery products.

“We strongly condemn smuggling, which deprives our farmers and fishers of their incomes and livelihood,” Secretary Dar said in light of the recent probe conducted by the Senate Committee of the Whole.

“Smuggling is a systemic problem. That’s why we have been con-

sistent in warning any official or staff of our ‘OneDA Family’ who cudgel smugglers. We will not hesitate to file administrative charges against them. We will act swiftly and decisively against those involved among our ranks, whether rankand-file employees or high-ranking officials,” he

added.

Secretary Dar said that the DA has been and is continuously working closely with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other partner agencies in the Sub-Task Group on Economic Intelligence (STG-EI) in guarding and strengthening border protection efforts; while at the same time, providing the much-needed logistics and infrastructure support for local producers.

“Admittedly, there’s a need for us to further strengthen our integrated regulatory enforcement unit such as the STG-EI

ARTA to launch electronic complaint system

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he Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) will launch on Tuesday its first electronic complaint management system (CMS), adding another channel for the public to file their concerns on red tape in government offices.

In a statement Monday, ARTA said this is in

response to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s call for the government to automate its processes to make government services more accessible and convenient for the public.

It said more people are becoming aware of ARTA’s function to address too much bureaucracy that leads to corruption

in public offices. “(M)ore people are now seeking ARTA’s services to address their red tape problems,” the agency added.

The e-ARTA CMS will automate complaints filing and handling mechanisms in line with the government’s push for

FARTA, P10

and the country’s first border protection,” the DA chief said.

“While we continue to be vigilant against illegal activities and smuggling of agri-fishery products, these efforts will remain palliative if our border controls will remain flimsy,” he added.

Secretary Dar also called on lawmakers to provide budgetary support that would allow the BOC and DA to transition to a centralized digital system to fight smuggling.

“A centralized digital system, which we have been advocating as one of

FDA, P10

Revenue from fuel marking program hits P374-B: BOC

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he Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday said it has so far collected a cumulative PHP374.13 in import duties and other taxes from compliant oil companies under the fuel marking program.

In a statement, the Bureau said the total marked gasoline, diesel, and kerosene from September 2019 to March 2022 reached 39.316 billion liters.

It added that diesel comprises 65.51 percent of the total tax-paid volume followed by gasoline with 38.97 percent and kerosene with 0.52 percent.

As for location, Luzon recorded the highest number of markings at 73.66 percent, followed

by Mindanao with 20.9 percent and Visayas with 5.44 percent.

The BOC said it is now

House Committee on Economic Affairs chair Sharon Garin said the country is now attracting the “good” kind of attention from investors who were previously hesitant to invest in the country because of restrictive old laws.

“Finally, after a century of restrictions, we now have relevant laws to help which encourages long-term investments in underutilized public sectors such telecommunications, shipping, air carriers, railways, and

FREVENUE, P10

Foreign firms keen on investing in PH

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any international companies are keen on investing in the Philippines after the passage of game-changing reforms under the Foreign Investments Act and Public Service Act, a House leader said on Monday.

FFOREIGN, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 6 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

ECONOMY

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A local fisherman from Barangay Mabua in Surigao City shows a Japanese ruby fish that he caught on Easter Sunday (17 April 2022). Several fishermen in coastal villages remain struggling as their boats were either damaged due to super typhoon “Odette”last December. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

BSP: Remittances fell to 3-month low in Feb DAR, LBP, PCIC to provide financial assistance to Sarangani farmers

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he Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the province of Sarangani, in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) General Santos Lending Center, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) linked arms to provide financial assistance to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in this province.

The financial assistance is in the form of a credit as capital for the ARBs’ corn and other crop production with a low-interest rate of 5% per year.

LBP Administrative Officer Prexy Almocera said twenty-two (22) ARBs from the town of Maasim who applied for loans were approved under the Accessible Funds for Delivery to ARBs (AFFORD ARBs), a lending program of the DAR, LBP, and PCIC intended for the ARBs to finance the production of their rice, corn, and high-value crops, as well as the acquisition of small farm implements.

After successfully conducting the loan signing ceremony, a financial literacy training was conducted where Almocera explained the purpose of AFFORD ARBs which is to increase the income of the farmers and refrain them from borrowing from private entities with high-interest rates.

“We provided them with sample computations to ensure that all the applicants can compute and understand the loans they are applying for,” she said.

Almocera emphasized that only applicants with good repayment standing can avail of the renewal of the loan.

She added that the application for PCIC was also discussed to provide insurance protection to farmers against losses arising from natural calamities, plant diseases, and pest infestations of their crops. This is part of the pre-release requirements before the loan

FDAR, P10

R

emittances from overseas Filipinos declined in February to hit the lowest level in three months, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday revealed.

Data from the central bank showed that cash remittances — money transfers coursed through banks — totaled $2.509 billion in February, up by 1.3% from $2.476 billion in February 2021, but lower than the $2.668 billion in January.

Personal remittances — the sum of transfers

sent in cash or in-kind via informal channels — stood at $2.793 billion, up 1.2% from $2.759 billion last year, but lower than January’s $2.966 billion.

The BSP attributed the decline to the reimposition of restrictions in host countries of overseas Filipinos across the globe during the month.

Remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of at least a year jumped by 1.3% to $2.18 billion, and from sea and land-based workers with work contracts of less than a year by 1.5% to $547 million.

Year-to-date cash remittances were recorded up 1.9% to $5.177 billion, and personal remittances up 1.9% to $5.759 billion.

The United States registered the biggest share of overall remittances at 41.6% for the first two months of the year, fol-

he Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported Monday that sales of local vehicle assemblers reached pre-pandemic level in March this year.

Automotive vehicles sales last month grew 43.4 percent to 29,685 units from

20,702 units in March 2021.

Month-on-month, vehicle sales rose by 22.1 percent from 24,304 units last February.

This despite sales of passenger cars slightly slipped by 0.5 percent to 6,625 units last month from 6,661 units sold in March last year.

This was offset by commercial vehicle sales, which

rose 64.2 percent to 23,060 units in the previous month from 14,041 units in March 2021.

“March performance has already reached the industry’s pre-Covid level of sales, and now the highest monthly sales recorded since the onset of the pandemic based on our data,” CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said.

lowed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Taiwan, Qatar, and Malaysia.

The said countries accounted for 79.3% of total cash remittances in the January to February period.

According to Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael Ricafort, inflows could increase moving forward as countries reopen.

“OFW remittances

Gutierrez added this milestone for the industry signals continued recovery as business operations and the economy start to normalize.

Meanwhile, industry sales from January to March this year also improved by 6.3 percent to 74,754 units from 70,312 units in the first

FBSP, P10

Local car assemblers sales hit pre-Covid level in March T

FLOCAL, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 6 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

On the commitment of UniTeam to the programs of President Duterte:

Tulo ka butang amoang ginaingon nga importante sa atong nasud—trabaho, dekalidad nga edukasyon sa atong mga anak, ug malinawong pagpamuyo dinhi sa atong lugar.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

Vice Presidential aspirant

EDITORIAL Delirium in the homestretch If the May 9, 2022 elections were a race, we are now approaching the homestretch, defined as “the part of a race course between the last turn and the winning post.” The other definition is “ a final stage.”

This is the time when citizens will begin hearing all kinds of out-of-this-world proposals from preference survey losers, like the proposal of the camp of Mar Roxas in 2016 asking for Senator Grace Poe to withdraw in order to stop the victory of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte who was leading the preference surveys at the time.

It should not surprise you therefore if you heard vice pres-

EDGEDAVAO

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What should voters do in the face of these outlandish actions of some election actors or their supporters. What else, but expect more desperate ideas coming from the camps losing in the series of credible surveys.

Non-partisan citizens and uninvolved kibitzers can also hope and pray no camp will embrace violent ideas.

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

ANA MARIE G. SILPAO 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

idential aspirant Lito Atienza asking Senator Panfilo Lacson to withdraw from the race or Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso urging Vice President Lenie Robredo to drop out of the race.

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)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 6 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

STICKING IT OUT AFTER THE EXCITEMENT IS GONE “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”

– Vince Lombardi ***

It was not until I accepted an offer to coordinate the drafting of the case studies and completing initial editing of the book, In Search of Excellence: Exemplary Forest Management in Asia and the Pacific Region, for the regional office of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization based in Bangkok, Thailand, that I came to understand what commitment is.

Of the four editors of the book, I am the only one from the Philippines. Patrick B. Durst, who headed the team and married to a Filipina, is an American. Chris Brown is from New Zealand while the only female part of the editorial board is a Japanese (Miyuki Ishikawa).

When I accepted the chance to become the editorial consultant of the book, I never knew that it would take so much of my time from my work. I had to fly all the way from Davao to Manila and then to Bangkok to discuss the outline of the book and related matters. I had to do it several times.

I was given all the papers,

studied them and provided thematic direction for the case studies. I also had to work with all the authors, most of them with PhD’s. Durst, who was then senior forestry officer with FAO’s regional office, wanted the book to be written in layman’s language. It won’t be a technical book, he told me.

Most of the authors never had an idea how journalists work.

I had to explain to them what I needed, how they would write the case, the people they had to interview (based on the original manuscripts given to me), and the pictures to be included in the book.

At first, the authors were flabbergasted by my “demands.” But after several times of sending electronic mails back and forth and talking over the phone, we managed to straighten out everything. In fact, some of them wrote to me and commented that they learned something from the way I edited their papers. “Now, I know how a journalist works,” one said.

Although there were times that I wanted to quit, I had to persevere. I had told myself that I will finish what I had started.

And it paid off. The book became one of the most requested materials from the FAO office. In fact, it was such a hit that a Chinese

translation was done.

To some people, commitment serves no purpose in life. As long as they can perform the task given to me, it was enough for them.

But successful people know the importance of commitment. Ed McElroy of USAir has this to say: “Commitment gives us new power. No matter what comes to us – sickness, poverty, or disaster – we never turn our eye from the goal.”

“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes but no plans,” said Peter F. Drucker.

Commitment means something different to each person.

To a soldier, it means going over the hill, not knowing what’s waiting on the other side. To a marathoner, commitment is running another ten kilometers when his strength is already gone.

According to Dr. John C. Maxwell, of the world’s successful book authors from the United States, there are four types of people when it comes to commitment. These are cop-outs, holdouts, dropouts, and all-outs.

Cop-outs are those who have no goals and therefore don’t commit. Holdouts are people who don’t know if they reach their goals, and so they’re afraid to commit. Dropouts are those who start toward a goal but quit

when the going gets rough. The all-outs are people who set goals, commit to them, and pay the price to reach them.

Elithu Thomson, an electrical engineer second only to Thomas Alva Edison in number of patents held, was a pioneer in the field of radiology. Before the dangers of X-rays were fully understood, workers were being burned by radiation. In 1896, using two of his fingers, he discovered that lead shields stopped the rays but aluminum did not. The experiments left his fingers stiff and scarred.

“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek,” said Mario Andretti.

American actor Bill Cosby also said, “Anyone can dabble, but once you’ve made that commitment, your blood has that particular thing in it, and it’s very hard for people to stop you.”

Well, there are people who are committed to surpass what they have done or what others have accomplished. At 92, Paul Spangler completed his fourteenth marathon. At 91, he swam 1,500 meters in 52 minutes, 41.53 seconds to set a world record for the over-90 age group. At 91, Hulda

Crooks climbed Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States.

“The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too,” William H. Murray once pointed out. “All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events emerged from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way.”

But whether a man would commit to a certain work or idea boils down to choices. In Choices, Frederic F. Flach reiterates: “Most people look back over the years and identify a time and place at which their lives changed significantly. Whether by accident or design, these are the moments when, because of a readiness within us and a collaboration with events occurring around us, we are forced to seriously reappraise ourselves and the conditions under which we live and to make certain choices that will affect the rest of our lives.”

In other words, anytime you make choices – and as long as these are based on solid life values – then you are in a better position to sustain your level of commitment.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

WOMEN IN DAVAO’S POLITICS (3) The phenomenal growth of women’s power in Davao’s political landscape did not explode until after 1986 when gender equality started to be strengthened and the voice of women empowered as a vital facet of partisan exercis-es.

Many of those who have been thrust into the electoral limelight, particularly in Davao cities and provinces, is post-millennial revelations.

Outside the earlier rosters (provided in the first two columns), other lady politicians from Davao region who are deserving of honorable mention are Aileen C. Almen-dras, daughter of ex-Davao City councilor and Santa Cruz mayor Alexis Almendras, who became Davao del Sur vice-governor.

Prior to her provincial stint, she was mu-nicipal councilor of Santa Cruz. In 2016, Maria S.

Sagarino also became the first lady mayor of Sulop.

In pre-martial law years, Araceli Villafuerte-Malag, elected to two consecutive terms (1968-71 and 1972-75), became the first lady municipal mayor of Magsaysay, Da-vao del Sur. In Malalag, Givel Montejo-Mamaril held the mayoralty for three consecutive terms (1998-2001; 2001-04; and 2004-07) was among the post-Marcos lady councilors in the region. In 2001, Concepcion P. Caminero became the first lady mayor of Kiblawan, and not too long ago, Gladys A. Razonable-Gascon became the first lady mayor of Padada in 2013. Three years later, Bansalan had its first lady town mayor in Quirina T. Sarte; she was reelected in 2019.

Though Davao Oriental has registered the greatest number

of ladies to become city or town mayor, its Sangguniang Panlalawigan list also counts board member Marietta D. Palmera. In Tarragona town, Aurora D. Enriquez became the town’s first lady mayor in 1998; she was reelected three years. Banaybanay, meanwhile, has already been under two lady mayors, namely Eva T. Geollegue (2001-04), and Adalia Lopez-Tambuang (201316, 2016-19 and 2-019-2022).

Davao del Norte has produced, among others, two dis-tinguished board members, namely Shirley Belen R. Aala and Jannet Tanong-Maboloc, while Davao del Sur’s list of lady politicos includes board members Anna Margarita Razonable and Norma Rivera, an IPMR or indigenous peoples’ mandatory representative.

The provincial legislature of Davao de Oro has also given its

share of famous ladies, namely: Maria Carmen Zamora-Apsay (as SK federation president), Kristine Ca-ballero-Rañon, Marie Jude Lopoz, Vicencia Secuya, Nena G. Atamosa, and Joanna Aileen A. Gentugaya (later Monkayo vice-mayor). Teopista Tenorio-Jauod became Mon-tevista mayor in 2003; and was reelected twice.

Janet Brillantes-Diel, sister of ex-Monkayo mayors Jose-lito, and Manuel Brillantes, first won as municipal coun-cilor and later elected as vice mayor.

Several others made it to the municipal council, namely: Sarah C. Tanghian, Concepcion L. Ayes, Erlinda H. Tumaob, Grace Lily Amacio-Gabato, Kimberly Benazir May R. Codilla, and Mary Queenstar C. Baltazar, representing the Sangguni-ang Kabataan (SK).

Meanwhile, the component

cities of Tagum, Panabo, and Samal in Davao del Norte also have their share of la-dy luminaries, namely: Eva Lorraine E. Estabillo, as Tagum vice-mayor and Ester L. Angoy, Ana A. Alvarez, and Jessica Pandacan-Ado (IPMR) as city councilors.

While Devona H. Jumamil represents the Panabo city council, Genaphine S. Cañete and Helen S. Perez (ABC president) grace Samal’s sangguniang panlungsod as city councilors. For her part, Digos City’s roster of councilors include Concepcion R. Cadungog.

For the record, Davao City has been home to two lady vice-presidential bets. In 1998, Irene Morada-Santiago ran for the country’s second highest post under the Aksyon Demokratiko while Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio launched her own bid in 2022 under the Lakas-CMD party.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

NGCP completes restoration of #AgatonPH-affected line Power transmission services in Bohol are now restored after NGCP energized the Ormoc-Maasin 138kV line 2 at 7:31PM on 17 April and the Maasin-Ubay 138kV line linking Leyte to Bohol, at 10:14AM today, 18 April, respectively.

Emergency Restoration Systems (ERS) were installed to bypass towers of the Ormoc-Maasin lines 1 and 2, which were affected by a landslide triggered by the passage of Tropical Storm Agaton. More than 100 linemen and support personnel were deployed and worked through the Holy Week to manually

transport the ERS to the restoration area and conduct clearing activities necessary for the installation of the ERS. The company is currently working towards the restoration of the Ormoc-Maasin 138kV line 1 to further strengthen the reliability of transmission services in the area, as well as planning the permanent restoration of the affected towers.

NGCP assures the public that it is continuously monitoring weather disturbances and is ready to activate its OCMC should there be any threat to its transmission facilities.

Protecting children from child labor through Project AGAKKA DOLE XI Regional Director Randolf Pensoy receives bags with school supplies for children at risk of child labor from SVP and COO Anton Mari Perdices of AboitizPower with officials from Davao Light and Income Credit Cooperative.

Out of the total population of 31 million, more than 800,000 Filipino children are already working between the ages 5 to 17 according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). To address the significant number of working children, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) initiated Project AGAKKA (Alalay

para sa Ginikanan Alang sa Kalambuan sa Kabatan-onan). This initiative is part of the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) of DOLE that aims to assist parents or guardians of child laborers to become financially able and stable by providing them livelihood or emergency employment.

Recently, as a support to the said program, Davao Light and Power Co. Inc., with its social development arm, Aboitiz Foundation Inc., and Income Credit Cooperative, donated bags with school supplies for 130 children identified

by DOLE XI.

Present at the turnover ceremony on April 4, 2022, are DOLE XI Regional Director Randolf Pensoy, AboitizPower Distribution Utilities SVP and COO Anton Mari Perdices, and Davao Light President and COO Rodger Velasco, as well as Income Credit Cooperative Chairman Jasper Gelacio.

Davao Light recognizes the importance of partnerships between public and private entities to align its programs to create a bigger impact on the community and help contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 1 which is to end poverty.

DOLE XI Regional Director Randolf Pensoy receives bags with school supplies for children at risk of child labor from SVP and COO Anton Mari Perdices of AboitizPower with officials from Davao Light and Income Credit Cooperative

9 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

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Fasting: During the Lenten season, people practice fasting by simply abstaining from eating foods (webMD.com)

TO FAST OR NOT TO FAST Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO Additional Photo: webMD.com

M

ost religions use periods of fasting as a means of demonstrating faith or penitence, and an opportunity for spiritual reflection.

“Fasting is common to just about every major religious tradition, like Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism,” says webMD.com.

“During Ramadan, many Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, every day for a month.”

Fasting has also historically been a means to express political views and a form of protest. In recent years, fasting became popular as a healing medium. “In ancient Greece, Hippocrates believed it helped the body heal itself,” webMD.com says.

“Fasting is the greatest remedy – the physician within,” said Philippus Paracelsus, one of the three fathers of Western medicine. “Instead of using medicine, better fast today,” Plutarch, a Greek biographer and moralist, suggested.

In the Christian context, fasting is simply abstaining from food for spiritual reasons. At times, fasting means abstinence from drinking liquids as well – a total fast for a brief period.

“Fasting does not necessarily suggest depriving the body of all food,” ex-

No eating: As much as possible, people should not eat -even fish -- when fasting.

plains Amber Keefer, who has more than 25 years of experience working in the fields of human services and health care administration. “Sometimes a fast includes a short period of abstinence from eating just certain foods. Fasting does not mean starving yourself. What it does mean to some people is timing when you eat, and then eating specific foods in moderation.”

Writing professionally since 1997, Keefer has written articles covering health, fitness and women’s issues published such publications as Family Digest Magazine. In her article, she adds, “Consuming enough fluids throughout any fast is important to prevent dehydration. Although fasting can be a controversial issue, the value of physiological fasting as a treatment for many chronic health conditions continues to be

studied.”

Technically speaking, fasting commences within the first twelve to twenty-four hours of the fast. A fast does not chemically begin until the carbohydrate stores in the body begin to be used as an energy source. The fast will continue as long as fat and carbohydrate stores are used for energy, as opposed to protein stores.

Once protein stores begin to be depleted for energy (resulting in loss of muscle mass) a person is technically starving.

For people who want to fast, here’s a word of warning from Keefer: “During a fast, a person needs to consume adequate calories for health in order to avoid becoming malnourished. However, if not done correctly, doctors warn that fasting may be dangerous to one’s health.”

There are some peo-

Abhor eating: Food like this should not be eaten when a person is fasting.

ple who experience headaches or joint pain during the first few days of fasting. Other adverse effects of fasting may include fatigue, dizziness, and weakness. “If you feel tired or weak during a fast, you should rest,” Keefer suggests. “A juice fast is considered to be a safer alternative because the body gets enough nutrients. Fruit and vegetable juices are also easy to digest.”

Despite the controversy that surrounds fasting, a lot of people still do it.

“Due to (the) effects of fasting, a fast can help you heal with greater speed; cleanse your liver, kidneys, and colon; purify your blood; help you lose excess weight and water; flush out toxins; clear the eyes and tongue; and cleanse the breath,” wrote Dr. James F. Balch in Prescription for Nutritional Healing.

Obesity is now becoming a health problem and most people try to lose excess weight. Fasting is seen as one possible solution. But most medical experts say: fasting is not a healthy weight loss tool. “The appeal is that (fasting) is quick, but it is quick fluid loss, not substantial weight loss,” explains Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom, founder and director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Weight Loss Management Center.

Some nutrition professionals think of it as a recipe for disaster, setting up

a person for binge eating and metabolic confusion.

Ruth Frechman, a registered dietitian in Burbank and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, says she frequently sees such extreme strategies backfire. “You’re hungry, fatigued, and irritable. Fasting is not very comfortable. People try to cut back one day and the next day they’re starving and they overeat.”

Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. “There is no scientific evidence it will detox the body. The issue of fasting to cleanse the body has no biological basis because the body is really good at that by itself,” says Dr. Fernstrom.

“The liver is a natural detox center; the lungs, the colon, the kidneys, (the lymph glands) and the skin get rid of toxins.”

But Dr. Joel Fuhrman, author of Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Plan for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss and Fasting and Eating for Health, disagrees.

He has supervised hundreds of patients’ fasts for medicinal purposes. “We know that the body is unable to rid itself of toxins when we eat a diet low in nutrients,” he points out.

One issue on which there is medical agreement is the benefit – actually, the necessity – of fasting before surgery. “You don’t want the body to be digesting food as it manages the slower breathing

FTO FAST, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO MAKING... FROM2 atoang Comelec officials and security pati na sa mga tao,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office in Davao Region (PRO-11) reported the towns of Sta. Cruz, Matanao, Magsaysay, Malalag, Hagonoy and Padada in Davao del Sur; New Corella in Davao del Norte; and Monkayo in Davao de Oro as under the yellow category or

with mild risk of violence while areas monitored due to the presence of communist New People’s Army and placed under the orange category or areas of immediate concern were the towns of Mabini, Maco, Maragusan, Montevista, New Bataan and Pantukan in Davao de Oro; Lupon, Davao Oriental; and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur.

Areas monitored for communist New People’s Army presence and placed under the orange category or areas of immediate concern were the towns of Mabini, Maco, Maragusan, Montevista, New Bataan and Pantukan in Davao de Oro; Lupon, Davao Orien-

tal; and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur. No municipality in the region is placed under the red category, where the threat of violence due to intense political rivalry is compounded by the presence of armed groups, PRO-11 said. (PNA)

munity Defense Group (RCDG) of the Philippine Army Reserve Command, the 1105th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, and the 2202nd Infantry Brigade (Reservists) were also deployed particularly in churches to ensure security.

“Naa pud ta nakita isa ka grupo during sa pagbisita nako sa mga simbahan, mga reservists ug kini sila component sa Task Force Davao,” Sumagaysay said.

Sumagaysay said that after the Easter Sunday church celebrations members of the security forces were also deployed to the

beach and inland resorts, transport terminals, and seaports.

Sumagaysay thanked the Dabawenyos, barangay officials, volunteers, and the Catholic church for their cooperation and support in the implementation of the security measures.

“Nakabuhos ang atong atensyon sa pag atiman ug pag secure sa bag o lang nato gi celebrate na Holy Week 2022. Mao na’y gika-busyhan nato aside sa other tasking nga gihatag sa atoa na related sa safety and security sa city,” he said. By Maya M. Padillo

digitalization across national government agencies and local government units.

“Through the online platform, ordinary citizens can file complaints before ARTA. The e-ARTA CMS features an electronic ticketing system, paperless complaint filing, cloud storage for backup, and SMS (short message service) notification for complainants,” ARTA

said.

The newly formed Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART) will be handling the CMS. CART will have direct access to an electronic dashboard to monitor filed complaints real time and to provide immediate action to the complaints.

ARTA also hopes this initiative will help agencies to address complaint backlogs. (PNA

can be downloaded to the farmers’ bank account.

Almocera said that the ARBs with approved loan applications were very eager and excited since it is already planting season.

“They believed that

this is a great opportunity for them to be to generate their own capital for production out of their income from the program which will lead to a better quality of life for them in the near future,” Almocera said.

quarter of 2021.

Passenger car sales declined by 16.2 percent to 18,323 units this year from 21,855 units in the same period in the previous year.

Commercial vehicle sales, on the other hand, rose by 16.5 percent to 56,431 units from 48,457 units for the same period.

Commercial vehicles share 69 percent of the total industry sales, while passenger cars at 31-percent share.

“The industry remains ‘cautiously optimistic’ for

full recovery this year as we just started the second quarter. At this point, it is indeed crucial that we remain on guard against any potential risks in achieving full economic recovery, and pre-pandemic levels of business and consumer confidence at the same time,” Gutierrez added.

Industry leaders for the first three months of the year are Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Ford, and Suzuki.

(PNA)

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dreds of thousands of people led by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, together with the provincial, city, and municipal slates under the One Cebu party, which recently announced its support for the BBM-Sara UniTeam.

“Kitang tanan karon nagka-hugpong, usa ka

tingog, hiniusang Sugbo.

One island, one province, one Cebu alang sa mosunod nga bise-presidente sa Pilipinas, Mayor Inday Sara Duterter. Cebu has spoken, so we and the rest of the country, the next president of the Philippines (Bongbong Marcos),” Garcia said.

‘yan or ipatawag ng chief of police at kausapin na iwasan lang ‘yung away lalo na gamit ng armas,” he added.

In his report to the President, Año said the DILG recorded 2,536 gun ban violations from January 9 to April 18 that resulted in the arrest 2,653 people.

The interior chief also reported that authorities confiscated 974 deadly weapons, 2,013 firearms, and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition. As of April 18, 5,809 firearms were surrendered, he added.

Implementing the election-related gun ban, authorities established 5,187 checkpoints nationwide as

of April 17, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) deploying more than 39,000 personnel.

Meanwhile, Año also gave the President an update on the government’s relentless anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Law enforcers have conducted 867 anti-illegal drug operations from April 10 to April 16, resulting in the confiscation of a total of 17.32 kilograms of shabu and 268.94 kilograms of marijuana with combined estimated value of more than P150 million.

They also arrested 1,227 individuals, with 108 people voluntarily surrendering, and three suspects losing their lives during the drug operations. PNA

the pillars of our ‘OneDA’ Reform Agenda, would address discrepancies in data,” Dar said.

“If everything is au-

tomated, and there’s less human intervention, there is transparency at all levels of transactions,” he said. (PR)

marking 28 oil firms since the program started September 2019.

It also said it seized a total of 93,043.80 liters of diesel, 18,839.00 liters of kerosene, and two units of tank trucks carrying unmarked fuel with an estimated value of PHP13,357,405.

The confiscation was done in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The BOC also recommended the filing of crim-

inal cases against the 12 retail stations and two private firms that have unmarked fuels.

For the first quarter of 2022, the BOC has marked 4.724 billion liters of petroleum products, or equivalent to PHP60.15 billion in duties and taxes.

The fuel marking program aims to raise revenues while curbing fuel smuggling and leveling the playing field in the Philippine oil industries.

(PNA)

subways,” Garin said.

Garin particularly noted that Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet service Starlink would soon operate in the Philippines.

“We have heard from Elon Musk’s Starlink, which will hopefully make internet better and more accessible all over the country. Their low-orbit satellite technology can bring internet access to remote areas which are previously underserved or unserved by traditional connectivity,” she said.

She cited Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen as saying that there are Swiss companies planning to set up operations in the country.

She also said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson, as well as the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines

officials, have noted that the liberalization of some business would usher in more foreign funds and spur economic growth.

“I can go on, but the list of excited potential investors is long. What is clear to me is that by making our economic policies relevant, we are now seeing a renewed interest in revitalizing our economy from many sectors,” she said.

She said increased competition will generate higher quality of service and competitive pricing for consumers.

“Better services but lower prices will be our goal without sacrificing our local businesses and the consumers. We have put safeguards such as penalties for erring companies offering public services, and we have established a stringent set of requirements for vulnerable sectors and vetting

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(and other body changes) under anesthesia,” says Dr. Fernstrom.

Fasting is also required to get accurate readings for certain medical tests. Short-term fasting before tests for cholesterol and blood sugar levels, for example, helps achieve a more accurate baseline count.

Fasting advocates also claim that the practice can effectively treat serious health conditions, from arthritis to depression. In his practice, Dr. Fuhrman says he has seen fasting – combined with improving the diet before and afterward – eliminate lupus, arthritis and chronic skin conditions.

“Fasting followed by a vegetarian diet interferes with the immune system’s activities, especially if the immune system is overreacting, as it does with,” and other auto-immune diseases, Dr. Fuhrman says, citing half a dozen studies published in medical journals ranging from the American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism to the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology.

Fasting once a month for two meals or more may reduce the risk of heart disease, according to Dr. Benjamin Horne.

Fasting also seems to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. “What our evidence suggests is that nerve cells in animals that are on dietary energy restriction are under mild stress. It’s a mild stress that stimulates the production of proteins that protect the neurons against more severe stress,” explains Dr. Mark. P. Mattson from the US National Institute on

Aging.

Fasting may yield psychological benefits as well. “I use very brief fasting with my patients to help them cope with stress and depression,” says Agnese Barolo, a life coach in contemplative practices in New Rochelle, New York. “I start them with just a few hours so they learn to say no to food. It’s the first step in taking control of their lives.”

Barolo adds, “I know some doctors say there is no scientific evidence for the curative powers of fasting. But there is a reason every culture in every country has practiced some forms of fasting for thousands of years.”

Finally, here’s a final word from Dr. Fuhrman.

In his book, in Fasting and Eating for Health, he wrote: “Therapeutic fasting is not a mystical or magical cure. It works because the body has within it the capacity to heal when the obstacles to healing are removed.

Health is the normal state. Most chronic disease is the inevitable consequence of living a life-style that places disease-causing stressors on the human organism.

Fasting gives the body an interlude without those stressors so that it can speedily repair or accomplish healing that could not otherwise occur in the feeding state.”

A bit of caution, though: Even short-term fasting is not recommended for people with diabetes, because it can lead to dangerous dips and spikes in blood sugar.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or anyone with a chronic disease, should not fast.

could improve further in the coming months that support the country’s economic recovery prospects from COVID-19, as the global economic recovery would still improve further as more countries, especially those that host

large numbers of OFWs, around the world would reach herd immunity in the coming months, fundamentally entailing the creation of more job/employment opportunities for OFWs,” he said in a separate statement.

of all potential investors,” Garin said.

She stressed the need for economic and technology exchange in the country, which has been lagging behind some neighboring countries and are further hampered by the economic shutdowns during the community quarantines.

“An inflow of capital and better technology is a great step towards reviving our economy,” Garin said.

The Public Service Act amendments modified an 85-year-old act to change the legal definition of “public services” and those that are blanketed by the category of the “public utilities” industry.

The law now limits “public utility” to distribution and transmission of electricity, petroleum

and petroleum products transmission, water distribution and wastewater systems, seaports, and public utility vehicles.

Under the new measure, the 40 percent cap on foreign equity ownership is lifted from public services not classified as “public utility.”

Meanwhile, amendments to the Foreign Investments Act would allow qualified non-Philippine nationals to do business in the country or invest in a domestic enterprise up to 100 percent of its capital and liberalizes the practice of professions not governed by existing special laws.

The law also allows foreign investors to set up 100 percent ownership of all small- and medium-sized enterprises.

(PNA)

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11

UP scores 8th win D

espite a rare off-day for him, Zav Lucero, which only made seven markers, won it for UP as he drained the go-ahead basket with 1:27 left that broke a 70-all tie.

Ricci Rivero, who struggled in the first round of the eliminations, continued with his progress this season as he fired 19 points with five rebounds and two assists to lead the Fighting Maroons.

The team, however, could not close it out on its own as it missed crucial free throws, including two from Harold Alarcon with 5.9 seconds left that could have iced the game from there.

Luckily for them, RJ Abarrientos badly missed a heavily-contested three-pointer as time ran out on FEU’s chances to force overtime.

Rivero, who struggled in the first round of the eliminations, continued with his progress this season as he fired 19 points with five rebounds and two assists to lead the Fighting Maroons.

Carl Tamayo added 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three

blocks.

Emman Ojuola tallied 16 markers, 14 boards, two blocks, and three steals for the Tamaraws, who momentarily dropped to sixth place at 3-6 following their third straight loss.

The Scores: UP 73 -- Rivero 19, Tamayo 14, Cansino 12, Alarcon 8, Lucero 7, Diouf 7, Cagulangan 3, Fortea 3, Webb 0, Abadiano 0, Spencer 0, Calimag 0, Catapusan 0.

FEU 70 -- Ojuola 16, Abarrientos 13, Gonzales 13, Torres 9, Sandagon 6, Tempra 5, Alforque 3, Bienes 3, Li 2, Coquia 0, Sajonia 0.

Quarters: 16-17, 3437, 57-54, 73-70. (PNA)

Warriors dismiss Nuggets for 2-0 lead

S

AN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry came off the bench for a second straight game and showed he’s healthy at last, scoring 34 points to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Denver Nuggets, 126-106, on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time) for a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.

Nikola Jokic had 26 points and 11 rebounds before being ejected with seven minutes left following a second technical and was held back from a referee, after his first technical came with 2:31 to go in the third.

The MVP candidate’s emotions ran high all night. In the first quarter, Golden State guard Gary Payton II patted Jokic on the backside and the big man turned and came toward Payton when Curry stepped in and held the 7-footer back and Poole came in to help.

Jordan Poole started for Curry again and contributed 29 points — just missing a chance to become the first Warriors player ever to score 30 in his first two playoff games.

Klay Thompson add-

ed 21 points, while Curry shot 12 for 17 with five 3s as Denver again had no answer defensively for all of the Warriors’ dangerous perimeter threats.

The series shifts to Denver for Game Three on Thursday night.

The Warriors are rolling with the backing of a raucous home crowd, winning their seventh in a row overall after a fivegame winning streak to close the regular season.

Golden State used runs of 16-0 and 23-4 late in the second quarter to erase a 43-31 deficit and take a 57-51 lead at the break. On one particularly dazzling sequence, Draymond Green bounced a pass to Poole who threw it behind his back to Thompson for a layup that made it 54-47. Green’s defense flustered Jokic again.

Austin Rivers grabbed at his left hip and went down hard after getting hurt on a drive then Thompson hit a jumper on the other end in the 5-on-4 advantage before Rivers exited with 10:04 left in the second quarter. He returned with 46.7 seconds to go

in the half.

The Nuggets went ahead 43-31 on Monte Morris’ layup at the 7:25 mark of the second quarter and the Warriors answered with 16 straight points. The Chase Center crowd went crazy on Poole’s 3 with 3:38 remaining.

Curry entered for

the first time at the 6:32 mark of the first to a roaring ovation and immediately hit a jumper. With 16 first-half points he became the 27th player in NBA history to score 3,000 career postseason points.

He showed a full range of moves including driving to the basket with

a fervor and making a 3-pointer while falling to the ground.

Denver took a 7-0 lead 90 seconds into the game as Jokic made four quick free throws. But the teams combined to start 6 for 21 with three field goals apiece — and the Warriors were 1 for 7 on 3s.

NO IGGY Golden State missed veteran Andre Iguodala, the 2015 NBA Finals MVP who sat out with neck spasms after playing just more than 13 minutes in the series opener.

It marked the first time he, Curry, Green and Thompson played together all season.

Klay Thompson added 21 points, while Steph Curry shot 12 for 17 with five 3s as Denver again had no answer defensively for all of the Warriors’ dangerous perimeter threats.

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Sofia Frank of the Philippines performs during the women’s Free Skating at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia, 22 January 2022. File photo. Toms Kalnins, EPA-EFE.

COOL RUNNINGS PH skater Sofia Frank finishes 22nd in World Juniors

P

inay teen skater Sofia Frank registered a new personal best in the short program en route to a 22nd-place finish in the 2022 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, held over the weekend in Tallinn, Estonia.

The 16-year-old Frank scored a 53.86 in her short program, her best score so far in her career. But she struggled in the free skate for a score of 83.14.

Her total of 137.00 placed her 22nd overall, among a total of 43 competitors.

World Junior Championships 2022 Sofia Frank SP from preciosafrank on Vimeo.

Isabeau Levito of the United States claimed the gold with a total score of 206.55, followed by South Korea’s Shin Ji-a (206.01) and another American, Lindsay Thorngren (199.42).

Prior to the world juniors, Frank’s best score in the short program was 53.30, set during the CS Finlandia Trophy in October 2021.