Edge Davao Volume 15 Issue 22 | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

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BBM-Sara tandem leads partial, unofficial Comelec count STORY ON PAGE 2

Vice presidential bet Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and her brothers, reelectionist Rep. Paolo Duterte and mayoral frontrunner Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, are heading for a landslide win. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 23 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte gives a message after casting his vote for the 2022 National and Local Elections at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Davao City on May 9, 2022. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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Filipinos ‘sick and tired’ of divisiveness: analyst

BBM-Sara tandem leads partial, unofficial Comelec count

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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Marcos’ rival Leni Robredo trailed way behind with 14,750,489 votes while her running mate

Kiko Pangilinan is also a distant second with 9,185,707 votes.

Meanwhile, the mayoralty, vice mayoralty, councilor, and congressmen race in Davao City are dominated by the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago-Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HNPHTL) candidates.

For the mayoralty race, Sebastian “Baste” Duterte is leading with 592,470 votes.

Tailing him is Ruy Elias Lopez with 67,251 votes. Lawyer J. Melchor Quitain Jr. is

running unopposed in the vice mayor race.

Top eight councilors for the First District as of 1:02 of May 10, 2022, and from 461 election returns are Edgar “Kap” Ibuyan Jr. (HNP) with 148,168 votes; Luna Acosta (HNP) with 145,338 votes; Jessica Bonguyan (Independent) with 138,426 votes; Tek Ocampo (HNP) with 136,561 votes; Bernie Al-ag (HNP) with 133,746 votes; Bomz Militar (HTL) with 131,201 votes; Pilar

the air space and is ready to help at a short notice,” PAF spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

He added that aircraft from the PAF’s Tactical Operations Wing Western Mindanao and Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 12 facilitated the flight missions of the UH-1H “Huey” and S-70i “Black Hawk” helicop-

ters, and the A-29B “Super Tucano” attack aircraft.

“The PAF air assets conducted persuasion flights in the AOR (area of operations) of JTF (Joint Task Force) Central in the Provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato, particularly in the Municipalities of Parang, Bongo Island, Sultan Kudarat, Datu Piang, Rajah Buayan, Datu Paglas, Bulu-

an, Datu Blah Sinsuat, South Upi, Sultan Sa Barongis, Pandag, Mangudadatu, Pigcawayan, Pikit, Malabang and Cotabato City,” Mariano said.

He added these missions are part of the PAF’s efforts in ensuring a peaceful and orderly conduct of the May 9 elections.

“The whole Armed Forces (of the Philippines)

n the partial, unofficial results aggregated from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) data as of 2:02 p.m. of May 10, 2022, and from 98.68 percent of election returns, the tandem of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio led the presidential and vice-presidential race for the local and national elections on May 9, 2022.

Marcos garnered 30,949,373 votes while Mayor Sara amassed 31,383,834 votes.

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PAF airplanes, choppers conduct ‘persuasion flights’ over Mindanao

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he Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday said its aircraft, including two of its brandnew A-29B “Super Tucano” attack planes, have flown persuasion flights over various parts of Mindanao as part of their efforts to secure the May 9 national and local elections from lawless elements.

“It’s more of a reminder that somebody is securing

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residential aspirant and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has maintained a large lead in the presidential race polls because of his “simple” pitch for unity, a political analyst said Monday.

In an interview over PTV-4, Dr. Froilan Calilung, who teaches political science at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), explained that this year’s elections have deepened the nation’s divide.

“Right now, our countrymen are sick and tired already of the divisiveness that has played Philippine politics for a very, very long time already. In the midst of this, pumasok naman yung mensahe nung kabilang kampo na pagkakaisa (they entered the message of unity),” he said.

Calilung acknowledged although such motherhood statements failed to spell out Marcos’ clear platforms, Filipinos are easily persuaded by motherhood statements of unification because they are easy to digest.

“Maaring hindi nga po klaro sa atin ano ba talaga yung mga plataporma, agenda ng ating frontrunnerpero napakadali ho kasing intindihin yung konsepto ng unity. Very plain, very simple kaya maaring ito yung dahilan kaya sila ay talagang nahikayat (While it is true that the platform remains unclear, the unity agenda of our frontrunner is very easy to understand.

Very plain, very simple that is why many have been persuaded),” he added.

He said Marcos’ deci-

sion to skip debates and refusal to engage in negative campaigning is “a really good decision” because Filipinos always root for the underdog.

“Dito nga pinapakita ni BBM na instead na sumagot, instead na makipagsabyan sa mga alegasyon (This is where BBM shows that instead of responding to allegations), they just chose to be focused on their own campaign, mobilize resources,” he said.

He also said Filipinos were generally discontented by the failures of the post-Edsa regime.

“Maaring hindi na nagustuhan yung mga nangyari after EDSA (Perhaps they did not like what happened after Edsa). So they’re actually looking for something else, something different,” he said.

In contrast, he said Vice President Leni Robredo’s campaign “did not resonate well with the public” due to her declaration of wanting to thwart a Marcos comeback.

“Maliwanag from the get-go yung kampanya ni Vice President Robredo medyo nandoon po siya talaga sa pagbato sa kung anu-anong alegasyon sa personality, sa pamilya, sa political background ng atingfrontrunner, si BBM (It is clear from the get-go that the campaign of Vice President Robredo focused on hurling allegations on his personality, his family, and the political background of our frontrunner, BBM),” he added.

Calilung said Robredo could have had a bigger

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 23 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022

NEWS

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City Board of Canvassers conduct vote canvassing at Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City. Partial, unofficial results show Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte and other candidates under the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago and Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HNP-HTL) parties are comfortably winning the election. Edge Davao

Baste: I’d rather see dead criminals than dead cops Mother, son poise to win as guvs of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat

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rom husband and wife to son and mother tandem.

The political saga in the neighboring provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao, which is between relatives with the same family names, is headed to fall on the same Mangudadatu clan, partial and unofficial election results showed Tuesday.

According to the Comelec transparency server as of 8:02 a.m. Tuesday, Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu and his mother, reelectionist Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, will hold the top posts in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao provinces, respectively.

From 2019 to 2022, Sultan Kudarat has been headed by Datu Pax Ali’s father, Gov. Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu, while his wife Bai Mariam, Datu Pax Ali’s mother, ruled Maguindanao, her first term.

Teng served as Sultan Kudarat governor from 2007 to 2016, first district representative from 2016 to 2019, and governor again from 2019 to 2022.

For the May 9 polls,

Datu Pax Ali (Lakas CMD) clobbered his only rival, former beauty queen Sharifa Akeel Mangudadatu. The former garnered 249,077 votes against the latter’s 81,429 votes, based on 94% (752 of 800 clustered precincts) of the partial and unofficial results.

Datu Pax Ali’s certificate of candidacy was earlier canceled by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) after Akeel Mangudadatu filed a petition questioning his residency status in Sultan Kudarat province.

Last Friday, Datu Pax Ali obtained a temporary restraining order against the Comelec ruling.

Akeel Mangudadatu (Aksyon Demokratiko) is the wife of Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who is challenging the reelection of Bai Mariam in Maguindanao.

Bai Mariam (Nacionalista) gathered 307,271 votes while Toto mustered 199,241 votes with 92% of the election results transmitted from 1,202 of the 1,306 clustered precincts,

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

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avao City shoo-in mayoralty bet Sebastian “Baste” Duterte vowed he will not kill criminals but said he’d rather see the criminals dead than the authorities.

This is concerning the challenge to him by his father, President Rodrigo Duterte, during the “Miting de Avance” of Hugpong Ng Pagbabago-Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HNPHTL) on May 7, 2022 at the

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abawenyos gave President Rodrigo Duterte a warm reception as he came up to his polling precinct at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS) to cast his vote on Monday.

The crowd cheered when the President faced them outside of his polling precinct after he cast his vote and expressed his appreciation for the support given to him and his family.

San Pedro Square in Davao City that a mayor should not be afraid to kill a drug suspect who defies the authorities.

“Nganong mupatay man ko? I wouldn’t do that and I won’t tell anyone to do that

even, but if the police, it’s the same thing, if they become threatened then they have to defend themselves, kinsa man gusto mamatay anang naa ka sa imong trabaho?

Sa tinuod lang I’d rather see those criminals die rather than my policemen,” he said in an interview with the Davao media after he cast his vote at Catigan Elementary School in Catigan, Toril, Davao City on Monday.

In 2016, President Dute-

rte gave law enforcers a sense of security when running after criminals in line with his campaign promise to end crime within the first six months of his presidency.

The President also promised to grant presidential pardon to law enforcers convicted of killing criminals and civilians in the line of duty and to “take full responsibility” for deaths in the fight against crime under his term.

“Dungog na ko ninyo?

Wa ko kadungog ngari.

Siguro tiguwang na gyud.

Daghang salamat sa inyong tanan sa paghimo nakong Presidente. Ako magpabilin inyong sulugoon. Unya ako nia ra sa Davao so basig civilian na ko, og unsa may akong mahimo nimo, sama sa akong giingon niadto pa pagsugod nako pagka-mayor, ako si Rodrigo Duterte, magpabilin inyong sulugoon. Daghang

salamat,” he said.

The President explained that as he is about to step down from the presidency he wants the Dabawenyos to hear his heartfelt gratitude as they are the one who started his journey until he reached Malacañang.

“Ug naa man pud koy mga anak. Kahibaw ko human na mo’g boto pero og tan-aw ninyo nga maayo ang pagkadala nila sa siyudad, ako mangayo ko

sa inyong tabang. Human na man mo’g boto, pahawa naman pud. Salamat nalang pud sa inyong pagtabang kanila,” he said.

The President is referring to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, and Paolo “Pulong” Duterte-who are all winning in their respective candidacies.

The 16th President of the Philippines is set to leave Malacañang at the end of June this year.

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 23 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) says there was no issue of shortage in power supply across the country during the May 9 polls. NGCP reported that its Mindanao grid has an available supply of 2,998 MW, with 1,730 MW peak demand. Edge Davao

Lower PSE open likely driven by global issues, not poll results P is mainly driven by global performances and not necessarily the election results.

The US market is reacting to the recent interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve to arrest record-high inflation.

US Fed chair Jerome Powell earlier announced a half-percentage-point-rate hike, the “biggest” since the year 2000.

“I think the perfor-

mance of the market today is largely due to what’s happening globally…Those are more front and center although the market would have appreciated a victory by our VP Leni Robredo,” Tan told.

Historically, a presidential candidate also does not “conclusively” lead to strong market performance, she added.

“I think it’s too soon to say that the market doesn’t really like a Marcos presidency. At this point, it’s too early to conclude,” Tan added.

It would also be unfair to judge a president based on his or her performance

and its impact on the market when there are other issues that influence investors.

Under President Rodrigo Duterte, for example, the Philippines has and maintained investment-grade credit rating and economic growth improvements, she said.

His administration had also passed legislation that could attract more investors, she added.

“So I don’t think it’s fair.

There were a lot of other issues. There are a lot of factors that make the Philippines a lot less attractive compared to regional mar-

Investment Act, the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and the Public Service Act. “The important thing is the reflection of what do they see in terms of continuity, what’s going to happen moving forward,” Nelson said.

“Clearly, what we want as the British Chamber of Commerce is the next administration to continue with some of those liberalization policies,” he added.

Nelson said there are low-hanging fruits that could further entice foreign capital to come in.

The list includes further streamlining of the implementing rules of the ease of doing business law, continued investments in the digital space as well as investments in education to expand the local talent base, he said.

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos

Jr is leading the partial unofficial results of Monday’s presidential polls.

Foreign investors seek continuity in policies under next PH admin Investors would like to see continuity in policies that aim to liberalize the Philippines in terms of foreign capital, British Chamber of Commerce Philippines Executive Director Chris Nelson said Tuesday.

hilippine shares opened lower on Tuesday, a day after the historic election that is poised to make Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr the country’s 17th president.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) opened at the 6,632 level, lower by 1.89 percent compared to Friday’s close.

It has since widened the losses and was trading at the 6,553.45 level, down by 206.45 points or 3.05 percent as of 10:11 a.m.

COL Financial Vice President and Head of Research April Lee Tan believes that the market performance

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Foreign investors seek continuity in policies under next PH admin

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nvestors would like to see continuity in policies that aim to liberalize the Philippines in terms of foreign capital, British Chamber of Commerce Philippines Executive Director Chris Nelson said Tuesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has passed legislation that would make the country more attractive to foreign investors including the amendments to the Foreign

FIRB grants tax perks to Hanjin shipyard redevelopment —DOF

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he Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) has approved the grant of tax incentives to the redevelopment and operations of the Hanjin shipyard in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the DOF said the FIRB granted the tax perks to Project AGILA, upon the endorsement of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The said project is United States (US)-based private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management.

In March, Reuters reported that Cerberus will acquire for $300 million a Subic Bay shipyard, which was run by debt-riddled Hanjin Philippines before it defaulted on its loans.

The DOF said Finance Secretary and FIRB chairman Carlos Dominguez III supported the approval of the tax perks for Project AGILA with a total project cost of P17 billion “as the rehabilitation of the Hanjin shipyard presents economic potential, given its strategic location near the West Philippine Sea

(WPS).”

The project was granted special corporate income tax (SCIT), value-added tax (VAT) exemption from importation, VAT zero-rating on local purchases, and duty exemption on importation, the Finance department said.

“We expect the project to create jobs in the adjacent communities, increase economic activity as well as support the national government’s economic recovery efforts,” said Dominguez.

“The resumption of operations in the shipyard will also prompt development and productivity in the area, which can attract more investment opportunities into the country,” added the Finance chief.

Furthermore, the project will cater to both the Philippine Navy (PN) and potential export locators, according to the DOF. It will be beneficial, specifically to the Navy, as it will involve the safety and efficiency of the Philippine government ships’ performance and, consequently, strengthen national security, it said.

EDGEDAVAO

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ECONOMY

5

Massage therapists make the newly renovated Rizal Park their ‘headquarters’ where they give their services every night. Edge Davao

‘Best job fair ever,’ says TNK hired job seeker Bitcoin falls below $30K, lowest since July 2021

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itcoin slumped below $30,000 for the first time since July 2021 on Tuesday as cryptocurrencies track sinking markets with investors spooked by aggressive US monetary tightening and surging inflation.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value fell as low as $29,764 in Tuesday trade, before recovering above $30,000, extending a recent collapse in price as investors desert assets viewed as risky.

Bitcoin’s value has more than halved since a November surge that saw the token hit a record of nearly $69,000.

While crypto enthusiasts view bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, an influx of more traditional investors tend to view it as a riskier asset.

They have been offloading bitcoin and other digital tokens along with other volatile assets like tech stocks as the US Federal Reserve moves to hike interest rates to tackle decades-high in-

flation.

“Bitcoin is breaking below some key technical levels as the never-ending selloff on Wall Street continues,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst for the Americas at Oanda.

“The institutional investor is paying close attention to bitcoin as many who got in last year are now losing money on their investment,” he added.

While the token’s “long-term fundamentals have not changed in months”, concerns about growth and a possible recession are creating “a very difficult environment for cryptos”, Moya said.

“No one is looking to buy the crypto dip just yet and that leaves bitcoin vulnerable here.”

The slump in crypto follows dives on US equities and other markets, with the tech-rich Nasdaq closing down 4.3 percent on Monday, the S&P 500 declining 3.2 percent and the Dow ending off 2.0 percent.

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n the recently concluded Labor Day Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) Job and Business Fair 2022 held in the cities of Panabo, Tagum, and Davao, a total of 31 applicants were hired on the spot, mostly by construction and manpower services industries.

Regielyn S. Raman, 27, one of the job seekers who was looking for greener pastures in TNK Fair at NCCC Mall Buhangin, Davao City on May 1, 202, said that she has joined several job fairs but this one was the most memorable. “This is the most organized job

fair I’ve been to. No long queues and the process was smooth and well run from pre-registration stage to the final interview. Plus, I was Hired-On-The-Spot! It’s the best job fair ever!” she shared.

“I’m glad that luck was on my side when my em-

ployer hired me on the spot.

Being unemployed for too long during this time is really challenging,” said Arnold Banlawi, 37, a repatriate OFW from Saudi Arabia.

The pandemic had forced him to return home after working abroad for seven years. “It’s been a tough year for me. That’s why I am grateful for the efforts of DOLE XI for implementing this activity in a way that is favorable to the job seekers.

This opportunity will really help me bounce back from the impact of the pandemic,” he added.

For this year’s Labor

Day TNK Fair, DOLE XI hosted three job fairs through a hybrid approach. The pre-registration, screening, and job matching stages were conducted online from April 25-29, 2022 for both local and overseas job opportunities. A total of 1,169 job seekers, including Regielyn and Arnold, were shortlisted during the online screening and were instructed to proceed to the job fair venues for faceto-face interview with the employers.

In one of his interviews with the media, Assistant

gotiations as “advanced talks” and said the deal could be valued at $15 billion or more.

Philip Morris, which sells cigarette brands such as Marlboro and Chesterfield in 180 markets outside the United States and has invested billions of dollars since 2008 in vapor products, oral nicotine and other “reduced-risk” products,

said the talks were “in progress,” according to a statement.

“It is uncertain whether an offer will be made,” Philip Morris said. “PMI intends to make no further comment regarding the discussions unless and until it is appropriate to do so.”

Stockholm-based Swedish Match derives more than 65 percent of

its revenue from smokefree products, including chewing tobacco and nicotine pouches.

The company’s noted “recent speculation and confirms that discussions with Philip Morris International regarding a possible public takeover offer for Swedish Match are ongoing,” the statement said “There can be no cer-

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Philip Morris Int’l in talks to buy Swedish Match

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obacco giant Philip Morris International is in talks to acquire Swedish Match, the companies said, in a deal that would boost its smokeless offerings.

While they confirmed the negotiations, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, both companies said there was no guarantee of a transaction. The Journal described the ne-

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 23 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022

On the challenge by his father, President Rodrigo Duterte that a mayor should not be afraid to kill a drug suspect who defies the authorities.

“Nganong mupatay man ko? I wouldn’t do that and I won’t tell anyone to do that even, but if the police, it’s the same thing, if they become threatened then they have to defend themselves, kinsa man gusto mamatay anang naa ka sa imong trabaho? Sa tinuod lang I’d rather see those criminals die rather than my policemen.”

Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 23 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

PREVENTING SUICIDE A 26-year-old man, due to unrequited love, ended his life by jumping off from the fourth level parking of a mall. Two students also committed suicide by pressure and difficulty in learning school modules. A beautiful mother also did the same thing after delivering her baby.

All of those suicides happened in Davao region. This is quite alarming and something must be done to curb the incidents. Otherwise, more and more incidents will happen in the future. Past records have already given us disturbing information.

“In the year 2016, the Davao region accounts for having 54 suicide casualties growing up to 81 in 2017,” said a study that was published in the International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research two years ago.

“Under Police Regional Office 11, Davao City was recorded to have the greatest number of suicide casualties with 25 in the year 2016 to 38 last 2017. This is trailed by Davao del Norte with the suicide casualties of 3 in 2016 to 13 during 2017, followed by Davao del Sur with 9 in 2016 to 11 in 2017, Davao de Oro with suicide casualties of 8 to 9 around the same time and

Davao Occidental with 5 to 8.”

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) even intensified the problem. As the pandemic began and dragged on, more Filipinos committed suicide. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported a 57% increase in the country’s suicide rate in 2020 compared in 2019.

In 2020, 4,420 people took their lives intentionally; in comparison, 2,810 deaths were recorded in 2019. The death toll made suicide made suicide the 25th leading cause in 2020 which was 31st place in 2019.

But some experts believe the figures are not realistic.

“Certainly, the actual rate in the Philippines is probably higher, with many doctors agreeing not to report deaths as suicides because of the stigma. But even if we could get the true figure, it would probably still be relatively low,” Dr. Michael Tan wrote in his weekly column.

Close to 800,000 people around the world die each year due to suicide, according to the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO). Suicide takes places as often as every 40 seconds, it points out.

“For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt

suicide every year,” the United Nations health agency deplores.

Dr. Dinah Nadera, a psychologist of the University of the Philippines’ Open University told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that based on studies made on 300 cases from hospitals and police reports in 2008 and 2009, suicides happened between 8:01 in the morning and noon on weekdays, “when other people were not around in their homes.” Least suicides occurred between 12:01 and 4 a.m.

Another study showed that the methods of committing suicide in the country included shooting oneself, 40%; hanging, 30%; poisoning, 16.7%; and jumping from high places, 13.3%. In 73% of the reported cases, suicide was committed in their own homes.

“Suicide remains as one of the most pressing issues in the world,” the Department of Health contends. As such, it is tapping the media to help curtail suicide incidents in the country. In fact, it has issued Administrative Order No. 20220004 last March stipulating guidelines for the ethical and responsible reporting of suicide in the news and broadcast media as part of its efforts on suicide prevention.

“Media, as a powerful took means to transmit information and influence its audience, is seen as an effective tool by the WHO to responsibly report suicide, as current evidence shows there is an association between suicide content in the media and the risk of death by suicide,” the DOH said in a statement.

Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, DOH undersecretary, reiterated: “It is important that those at risk are not exposed to articles or movies that encourage or give instructions on suicide.”

Dr. Rajendra Yadav, acting WHO Representative to the Philippines, adds, “WHO acknowledges the crucial role traditional and new media play in preventing suicidal behaviors.

We encourage media practitioners and content producers to focus on suicide prevention strategies and promote general mental health interventions instead of suicide events alone.”

Dr. Dinah Pacquing-Nadera in a paper, “Suicide in the Philippines: A Second Look at Rates and Ratios,” identified three major barriers to the development/implementation of national suicide prevention plan: 1) lack of factual data to cite magnitude of the problem,

hence, lack of evidence to support need and fund for program; 2) competing interests within the health system where budget is limited; and 3) strong Catholic faith which frowns upon suicide discouraging families from reporting.

Experts urge everyone to save those who want to cut their lives. “Suicide is not inevitable for anyone,” states the suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

“By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives.”

Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions people can all take to help others.

Curtailing suicide is not a job for health department only but for everyone. As WHO puts it: “Suicide is a complex issue and therefore suicide prevention efforts require coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors of society, including the health sector and other sectors such as education, labor, agriculture, business, justice, law, defense, politics, and the media.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

THE SAGA OF LOLA ABON Only few enterprises can claim kinship with Davao City’s food history and tourism. Outside Luz Kinilaw, Penong’s, Cecille’s, Kuilan, and a few others, Lola Abon’s Durian Candies is nearly undisputed when it comes to satisfying every tourist’s sweet tooth. Established in 1956, the candy factory started as a micro home-based initiative of Abundia del Puerto vda. de Raakin—Lola Abon to her family—who was originally from Cagayan de Oro City.

Lola Abon started selling her own pastillas de leche, a confection made from sugar that is slowly stirred in low fire until it turns velvety and smooth. As a widow with six kids to feed, her neatly wrapped sweets were peddled among friends and in offices, providing her steady sustenance for the family. Later, she occasionally tagged along her

first-born grandchild Rob-erto in her sorties.

Her business took a dramatic turn after a close friend advised to add durian flavor to her sweets. Durian, then and now, represents Davao, is regarded as the king of fruits, and is pro-fusely grown throughout the region. She took to heart the suggestion and found the new concoction, which he called ‘durian yema,’ most improved and flavorful to the senses. Initial-ly, as a marketing come-on, she wrapped the product in a thin, white-hued washi or Japa-nese paper.

With daughter Melor Saniel as a sidekick, the undertaking was registered with the then Bureau of Commerce and Industry (BCI) and National Cottage Industries and Development Authority (NACIDA) as Lola Abon’s Durian Candies

in the founder’s honor. With much bet-ter packaging, it did not take long for the durian candies to become a party item and a pre-ferred confection sold in stores, public markets, and bus terminals.

When Lola Abon died in November 1967, Melor took over the business and expanded the market share of the business within and outside the city.

With the achievement, she intro-duced new products that took the form of cubes, bars, and sticks. She steered the family un-dertaking for over two decades. But her health issues overtook success, and the financial hardship the enterprise was facing forced her to entertain the idea of selling out the business.

But her children opposed it.

Roberto, Melor’s eldest son who was working in a private firm, decided instead to pump in

P25,000 and asked Dolores, his younger sister, to manage. With proper direction, the un-dertaking, in only a year’s time, pulled off from the debt trap and regain its status in the can-dy industry. In 2002, the business was turned into a corporation with Melor, hubby Mamerto Sr. and grown-up children Roberto, Eduardo, Mamerto Jr., Rodolfo, Dolores, and Ana Liza as incorporators. Roberto eventually took over as president.

As a family-owned corporation and acutely managed undertaking, Lola Abon’s has become a recipient of numerous citations and recognitions and has earned the moniker of the undisputed durian candy produced in the entire archipelago.

Its cache of awards includes the 1999 Gawad Negosyanteng Pinoy from GMA7 TV, 2005 Most Outstanding Small and Medium

Enterprise from the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI), and 2005 Most Outstanding SME Graduate from the Department of Trade and Industry.

Despite the impressive efficiency the company has achieved, its main distribution center remains modest. Germelina A. Lacorte, in June 19, 2011, article (‘50-year-old lola’s legacy that turned down SM‘) that appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, wrote about it.

‘Lola Abon’s store sits in a quiet neighborhood tucked away from the madness of malls and commercial centers. Except for a small hardly noticeable sign along the highway and the waft of sweet durian smell in the air, nothing could probably lead a stray newcomer here. And yet, people always found their way to the Lola Abon store.’

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PLACES

There’s a place up there in the confines of Marilog and Arakan Valley that’s making a buzz lately.

Intrigued by the chatter, my friends and I decided to make a road trip during the Lenten Season at the destination we longed to visit, JACA Mountain Peak in Kampo Uno, Katipunan, Arakan Valley Road.

When we arrived, JACA Mountain Peak’s renowned restaurant was already jam-packed with diners and they kept on coming, mostly in groups.

They say that when a place is frequented and patronized, there’s surely excellent reasons behind it. I said to myself maybe because this place is either very nice or it serves extremely delicious food.

Guess what, it has both

qualities.

JACA was opened in September last year in the middle of the pandemic with its blessing graced

by Honeylet Avancena, a close friend of the owner, Hazel Jaca.

“We decided to put up the restaurant last September in the middle of the pandemic. We built this as our family’s rest house tapos habang ginagawa some people would come in para mag coffee, but we refused because we don’t offer

coffee,” Jaca said in an interview.

And because we all

love the Yuletide season, no need to wait until December to embrace Christmas cheer as it’s Christmas every day in JACA. The place is all decked out with wreaths, garland, and Christmas tree, festive touches, and baubles galore every day of the year that surely brings smiles and happiness to diners.

The Christmas debris also gives off an overwhelming aura of happy food.

“Ang aming theme ay all-year Christmas dahil when you say Christmas, iba ang feeling, parang excited ka. It gives en-

couragement and happiness sa tao,” Jaca said.

The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating. The view is worth the trouble getting there.

There’s green everywhere you look that will spur your appetite.

When we were there, aside from its delectable view and Christmassy feel, we also swooned over slices of chocolate moist cake, lemon torte, and tiramisu. Whatever you order its meant to be a treat.

“I’ve been into the baking way back 1996 and that was my business baking wedding cakes,

birthday cakes, and cakes for all occasions,” Jaca said.

After a heavenly meal and listening to inspiring story, we soaked up the mountain scenery while sipping coffee and munching on cakes, salads, french fries, pasta, pizza, etc.

JACA Mountain Peak is a haven for the bellies and a feast for the eyes.

The place is a winner.

JACA is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For bookings and reservations DM at its Facebook page JACA Mountain Peak.

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ENVIRONMENT

9

Mindanao is in big trouble (Second of Two Parts)

Text by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

J

ust like the very popular American television sitcom, Three’s a Company, disaster is also like that. In the Philippines, disaster comes together in three forms: when there’s a typhoon, expect too much rain and inundating floods.

Typhoons Sendong and Pablo, which hit Mindanao, were only a preview of the things to come.

Both were described as “super typhoons,” thus they caused extensive devastation to Northern Mindanao (particularly the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan) and Southern Mindanao (mostly in Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro).

In the last several years, the country has suffered extreme weather events including long dry spells, heavy rains as well as strong typhoons and floods. Of these events, the most familiar is floods.

“Floods are due to the complex combination of weather, climatic and human activities,” explained Rosalie Pagulayan, weather specialist II of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration

(PAGASA) during a seminar workshop convened by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Davao City some years back. “Most floods occur as a result of moderate-to-large-scale rainfall events.”

“Floods are among the most destructive calamities man has to cope with,” the weather bureau adds.

A really big flood can result in millions, even billions of dollars of damages to road and bridges, buildings and other economic infrastructure, in the loss of agricultural crops and livestock, loss of productivity in industry, commerce and trade – not to mention the incalculable loss of human life.

Floods are likely to create havoc among informal settlers, which account for 45% of the country’s urban population. “(They) are particularly vulnerable

to floods due to less secure infrastructure, reduced access to clean water, and lack of health insurance,” a World Bank report says.

In 1991, Ormoc City in Leyte was once devastated by a colossal flood, killing about 8,000 people, wherein half of the victims’ bodies were never recovered. Walls of mud and water emanating from the mountain washed away shanties and swept people into the sea, a tragedy that brought lamentations all over the place and in the whole Philippines.

It was news all over the world.

Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña cited climate change as the primary culprit of the sudden surge of stronger floods in recent years. “Climate change is one of the reasons why floods have become intense and consistent these days,” he said.

In the past, people blamed deforestation as the most likely cause of floods. But Dr. Patrick Durst begged to disagree with this conventional wisdom. In an exclusive interview some years back, he said there is no scientific evidence to link major, large-scale floods to the loss of forests.

“Government officials, aid groups and the media

are often quick to blame flooding on deforestation caused by small farmers and tree cutters,” said Dr. Durst, who was then the regional forestry officer of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

He said that such ideas have, in the past, led some governments to force poor farmers from their lands and away from forests while doing nothing to prevent future flooding.

“Such actions are totally misguided,” he pointed out.

Are floods caused by nature or by human activities like logging? It’s a hard question to answer but Forests and Floods: Drowning in Fiction or Thriving on Facts? tries to separate fact from fiction on issues related to forests and water. The FAO publication also dispels some of the commonly held misconceptions about the role of forests in flood mitigation.

“Clearly, floods are caused by nature; but in some cases, they are exacerbated by human activities,” Dr. Durst said.

“The floods blamed on deforestation almost always occur after prolonged rains, which saturate the soil, including forest soil, so that it can no longer absorb more wa-

ter,” explained the 30-page FAO report. “Rain then has nowhere to go but into rivers where it fills them to overflowing.”

At its root, the flood equation is pretty simple: If a river cannot handle the load of water it’s required to carry, it must rise. With enough water, it must rise above its banks and flood.

The faster water runs from the watershed into the river, the higher a flood will be. Thus, anything that increases runoff speed – like excessive pavement or ditching of farmland – will contribute to floods.

Dela Peña, however, believes the climate-change typhoons are the harbinger of floods. From 1990 to 2006, for instance, the Philippines experienced record weather-related disasters, including strongest typhoons, the most

destructive typhoons, the deadliest storm, and the typhoon with the highest 24-hour rainfall on record.

“These events are projected to continue to intensify, requiring the Philippines to improve its climate resilience and develop its adaptive capacity to alleviate the risk of catastrophic economic and humanitarian impacts,” the World Bank report suggests.

One government official puts it: “There is no better way of protecting our people from floods, landslides and other hazards brought by typhoons than making them aware and ready on what to do when these situations arise.”

Mindanao is home to more than 22 million Filipinos. Most of them are

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Braga (HTL) with 125,248 and Nilo Abellera Jr. (HNP) with 97,845.

For the Second District as of 1:02 of May 10, 2022, and from 469 election returns: Cheche Justol (HTL) with 166,795 votes; Javi Garcia Campos with 164,035 votes; Louie John Bonguyan (HNP) with 156,010 votes; Dante Apostol (HTL) with 146,103 votes; and Lawyer Diosdado Mahipus (HTL) with 144,188 votes; Jonard Dayap (HNP) with 143,138 votes; Marissa Abella (HTL) with 140,798 votes and Al Ryan Alejandre (HTL) with 130,800 votes.

For the Third District as of 1:02 p.m. of May 10, 2022, and from 412 election returns: Alberto Ungab (HNP) with 155,216 votes; Nonoy Al-ag (HTL) with 132,749 votes; Potpot Villafuerte (HNP) with 120,020 votes; Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz (HNP) with 117,032 votes; and Sweet Advincula (HTL) with 116,485 votes; Cocoy Zozobrado (HNP) with 115,790 votes; Conde Baluran (HTL) with 111,537 votes and Enzo Villafuerte (HNP) with 101,818 votes.

For Congressman in the First District as of 1:02 of May 10, 2022, and from 461 election returns: reelectionist Paolo “Pulong” Duterte (HNP) led with 211,872 votes; Mags Maglana (Independent) with 14,101; Jamal Kanan (independent) with 1,361 votes; and Jovanie Mantawel (Independent) with 641 votes.

For the Second District as of 1:02 p.m. of May 10, 2022, and from 469 election returns: Vincent Garcia (HNP) with 151,532 votes; Danny Dayanghirang (HTL) with 69,974 votes; and Alberto Dulong (Independent) with 2,287 votes.

For the Third District as of 1:02 pm on May 10, 2022, and from 412 election returns: Isidro Ungab (HNP) with 174,566 votes and Abundio Indonilla (Independent) with 3,862 votes.

In Davao Region, different political parties are vying for governor and vice governor posts.

In Davao del Sur from the 99.86 percent of election returns: Mrs. Marc Cagas (Nacionalista Party) led with 183,442 votes followed by Carl Jason Rama-Bautista (HNP) with 125,921, and coming in third is Atty. Bobbet Torreon (Independent) with 31,120 votes.

For the vice governor: AiAi Cagas-Fernandez (Independent) with 228,513

votes; Jun Blanco Malaza (HNP) with 70,090 votes; and Ronald Banac (Independent) with 6,587 votes.

In Davao de Oro as of 1:17 p.m. of May 10, 2022 and from 99.12 percent of election returns: Dorothy Gonzaga (Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma) with 224,805 votes followed by Arturo Chiongkee Uy (HNP) with 188,438 votes; and Tata Dondiego (Independent) with 1,716 votes.

For the vice gubernatorial race: Jayvee Tyron Uy (HNP) with 221,696 votes and Alexander Agustin (PDR) with 137,077 votes.

In the Davao del Norte gubernatorial race as of 1:17 p.m. of May 10, 2022, and from 98.62 percent of election returns: Edwin Jubahib (PDR) led with 306,804 votes followed by Roy Catalan (HNP) with 199,539 votes.

For vice-governor: Oyo Uy (HNP) dominated with 283,018 votes followed by Franklin Gentiles (PDR) with 198,285 votes.

For Davao Occidental governor as of 1:17 of May 10, 2022, and from 91.72 percent of election returns: Franklin Bautista (Lakas-CMD) is running unopposed with 94,305 votes, and for vice governor Lorna Bandigan (Lakas-CMD), who is also unopposed, with 87,841 votes.

For Davao Oriental governor as of 1:17 p.m. of May 10, 2022, and from 99.34 percent of election returns: Cora Malanyaon (NP), who is running unopposed, with 236,490 votes, and for vice governor: Niño Uy (NP) with 166,748 votes and Glenda Rabat-Gayta (PROMDI) with 99,531 votes.

On the other hand, in the Province of Cotabato the gubernatorial post is being contested by two women politicians and as of 1:32 p.m. of May 10, 2022, and from 99.61 percent of election returns: Emmylou “Lala” Talino- Mendoza (NP) led with 308,313 votes. Tailing her iss Nancy Catamco (PDP-Laban) with 295,767 votes.

For vice governor: Efren Piñol (PDP-Laban) with 295,325 votes and Neneng Macasarte (Lakas-CMD) with 251,248 votes.

For Congressman, Joel Sacdalan (PDP-Laban) for the First District led with 150,275 votes; Rudy Caoagdan (NP) for the Second District with 169,739 votes; and Samantha Santos (Lakas-CMD) for the Third District with 116,869 votes.

Regional Director Atty. Jason P. Balais said that DOLE XI might carry on with this hybrid approach in conducting job fairs as we adjust to the new normal. “In the past two years, we have been hosting virtual job fairs due to COVID-19 restrictions.

This time, we are excited for our job seekers to finally have face-to-face interviews with potential employers. Through this hybrid approach, we can regulate the number of attendees to ensure everyone’s safety, unlike pre-pandemic

job fairs where job seekers flocked to the event to personally check the list of job opportunities or what we call ‘job shopping’,” ARD Balais added.

The 2022 Labor Day TNK, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI, Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and NCCC Malls, solicited a total of 6,937 local and overseas job vacancies from 79 employers.

The DOLE XI Regional Office spearheaded the major job

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was put on alert, the same thing with the PAF air assets, all were on alert for the election, wherever and whenever it is needed,” Mariano said.

Also, Tactical Operations Group 9 facilitated the deployment of persuasion flights of two MD-520 attack helicopters over hotspot areas in Lanao Del Sur. “Marawi City, Tubaran,

and Maguing are among the hot areas in Lanao del Sur which are under Comelec (Commission on Elections) control. The conduct of persuasion flights are among the measures of the AFP to deter armed groups in these areas from conducting illegal activities to bring chaos and disrupt the conduct of elections in the area,” Mariano said. (PNA)

shot at beating Marcos if her endorsements from different sectors came much earlier.

“They showed yung kanilang puwersa mga bandang Marso na (They had a show of force in March). I think if it could have come in a bit earlier, I think mas nakatulong talaga doon sa kampanya (it would have helped their campaign),” he

said.

While Robredo’s houseto-house campaign is admirable, he said they also came a little too late.

“Ang naging tingin nga dito ng marami sa ating mga kababayan is a move of desperation na lang nga e(Many of our countrymen think it is just a move of desperation),” he said.

Meanwhile, Baste promised to improve and augment the programs and projects of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and his father when he was a mayor of Davao City, if he wins as mayor.

“Like I said during the campaign kung unsa man ang padagan sa administration sa akoang igsoon previous mayor, Mayor

Inday Sara, ug kung unsa pagpadagan sa akong amahan sauna, then didto lang ko mag-navigate between the two. Kung naay mga programa ug proyekto that those previous mayors have been doing, maybe I will improve or maybe i will augment, and if there are problems that I have to solve, then I will solve it,” he said.

the partial and unofficial results showed.

Toto, former threeterm Maguindanao governor (2010 to 2019), and Teng are cousins.

The three other candidates for governor in Maguindanao province lagged far behind.

Although they are ad-

jacent provinces and both used to part of the original undivided Cotabato province, Maguindanao is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao while neighboring Sultan Kudarat belongs to Soccsksargen or Region 12. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

kets. There are a lot of factors, not just the president, which are the reasons why the market is where it’s at,” Tan said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, credit rating agencies kept their investment-grade ratings for the Philippines despite downgrades globally.

Although the economy plunged 9.6 percent,

its lowest since the end of World War 2 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was able to recover to 5.6 percent in 2021.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno earlier said the next administration would inherit a “better economy” compared to what the Duterte administration started with.

tainty than an offer will be made, nor as to the terms of any such potential offer.”

Shares of Swedish

Match dipped 0.6 percent in Stockholm, while Philip Morris International gained 2.5 percent in afternoon trading.

fair which took place at the NCCC Mall Buhangin on May 1, 2022, while the DOLEDavao del Norte Field Office led the job fairs at Panabo Multipurpose Tourism and Sports Center, Panabo City and NCCC Mall of Tagum City on April 29 and May 1, 2022, respectively.

In his message, Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy highlighted that the employment rate in Davao

Region has gone up to 8.4% in January 2022 compared to last year, while the unemployment rate significantly decreased to 3.65%.

Top job vacancies for local employment were customer service representatives, market research interviewers, and accounting staff.

For overseas, top vacancies included hospital staff, heavy equipment operators, and electricians.

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affected by weather-related disasters. As such, the DOST has launched the Geo-Informatics for the Systematic Assessment of Flood Effects and Risks Towards a Resilient Mindanao, or Geo-SAFER Mindanao. It is initiated by five higher education institutions: Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), Central Mindanao University (CMU), Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Caraga State University (CSU), and University of the Philippines – Mindanao (UP-Min).

Actually, Geo-SAFER is an expansion of the Phil-LIDAR 1 Project that aims to produce highly detailed flood hazard maps.

Using the state-of-the-art technology of Light Detection and Ranging (Li-DAR) equipment, it can generate detailed topographic maps of 71 river basins and flood-prone areas of the 135 cities and municipalities of Mindanao.

LiDAR is a remote sensing method “that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to earth.” These light pulses – combined with other data recorded by the airborne system – generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the earth and its surface characteristics.

According to experts, LiDAR map generation is a cost-effective means of acquiring accurate data on elevation and depth, two things critical in determining the risk of flooding in an area.

Let’s take the Geo-SAFER Agusan Project as a case in point.

“We will mainly process and analyze very detailed LiDAR-derived digital terrain and surface models and then use these inputs to numerical simulation models for hydrologic and hydraulic characterization of the basin and to produce detailed flood hazard maps for different flood scenarios,” explained Engr. Meriam Makinano-Santillan, the project leader of Geo-SAFER Agusan.

In addition, the project will add some innovations that put particular attention to specific issues and problems pertaining to

the flooding problem in the basin, such as the roles of anthropogenic activities like mining, deforestation, and land-use conversions in the hydrologic and hydraulic characteristics of the basin.

If you are still wondering how it will be done, here are the major activities in flood hazard mapping using LiDAR: First, a field survey will be conducted in an area.

Among the information to be gathered include how much rain falls into the watershed, how wide and deep the river is, how fast the water flows, and how much water flows along the river.

Then, the project conducts river cross-section surveys, LiDAR validation surveys, underwater depth surveys, and flow measurements through installation of rain gauges, water level sensors and velocity meters.

A LiDAR processing will also be processed to generate digital terrain models (DTMs) and digital surface models (DSMs).

LiDAR validation and data of underwater depth of the river gathered are also processed to assess the accuracy of the LiDAR products and to incorporate data into the DTMs. Also gathered are DSMs features like houses, buildings, roads and bridges which are all utilized for mapping structures at risk to flooding.

Once all the above are at hand, numerical simulation models (rainfall events of varying depth, duration and intensity) are developed and applied to predict flooding. DTMs and information gathered from the DSMs are used during the flood modeling process to generate flood models and flood hazard maps.

In addition, all the information gathered in the field to calibrate and validate the flood model computations and assess whether the flood hazard maps generated by the models are realistic and accurate or not.

“Actually, we really cannot control disasters from knocking at our doors,” argued Dr. Peña.

“However, we can mitigate its effects by being aware and prepared.”

ta, javelin thrower Melvin Calano, decathlete Aries Toledo, marathoner Christine Hallasgo and heptathlete Sarah Dequinan are all upbeat about their chances to retain their SEAG gold medals before leaving Manila.

Joining the 50-man athletics team bound for the Vietnamese capital are medalists Mark Harry Diones, Janry Ubas, Francis Medina, Edgardo Alejan Jr., Anfernee Lopena, Eloiza Luzon, and Marestella Sunang.

Cyclists Ariana Dormitorio, John Derrick Farr and Eleazar Barba Jr. will also begin their hunt for medals as well as bowlers

Merwin Tan, Lara Posadas, and Alexis Sy. A total of 120 athletes, coaches, and officials are due to be billeted on Wednesday before athletes from archery, beach volleyball, dancesport, esports, sepak takraw settle on Thursday in time for the opening ceremony.

The PH men’s basketball team, made up of PBA stars Junemar Fajardo, Robert Bolick, and siblings Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena is scheduled to arrive Friday along with the women’s basketball squad and teams from boxing, muay, taekwondo, wrestling, and shooting.

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Philippine athletes arrive at the Games in Vietnam.

PH cue masters, tracksters brace for tough SEAG

H

ANOI—World champion Carlo Biado of billiards and an assembly of potential gold medalists from various sports will arrive on Wednesday and could join the parade of nations in the opening ceremony of the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

Cue masters and perennial SEA Games gold contenders Chezka Cente-

no and Rubilen Amit are likewise checking in as well as Filipino billiards

icon Efren “Bata’’ Reyes prior to the opening rites on Thursday.

Joining them are potential medalists from athletics, bowling, cycling MTB, esports, and jiujitsu led by world-renowned grapplers Margarita “Meggie’’ Ochoa and Annie Ramirez.

The Philippine Sports Commission was tasked to facilitate the trouble-free departure of the athletes and will be on hand to wel-

tional stints to neutralize his Vietnamese opponent and the hometown crowd.

“I really need to be dominant in my performance here,” Saclag said.

“I will do everything to win the gold medal.”

If he wins, Saclag will face either Chalemlap Santidongsakun of Thailand or San Rakim of Cambodia in the gold medal round.

Saclag was a Wushu World Cup champion in sanda and clinched a silver medal at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games. He won gold in the same kickboxing event at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games played at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Three other Filipino kickboxers, however, al-

ready fell out of medal contention.

Kurt Lubrica lost to Thailand’s Chaiway Sungnoi, 1-2, in a men’s -57 kgs low kick clash, while Jomar Esteban suffered a 1-2 beating from Racchan Toch of Cambodia in -57 kgs and Carlos Alvarez lost to Vietnam’s Nguyen The Huong, 0-3, in -67 kgs in men’s full-contact action.

The other Filipino bets were fighting late Monday—Daryl Chulipas against Indonesia’s Salmri Stendra Pattisamallo in men’s full contact -51 kgs, Honorio Banario against Tanoi Yermias Yohanes of Indonesia in men’s -71s kg low kick and Emmanuel Cantores against Malaysian Ain Kamarrudin in men’s -60 kgs low kick.

Kickboxer Saclag on track to 1st PHL gold medal in Vietnam SEAG

J

ean Claude Saclag fights for a spot in the gold medal round of men’s kickboxing against Vu Truong Giang who will have the raucous hometown crowd rooting for him in the 31st Southeast Asian Games at the Bac Ninh province gymnasium on Tuesday.

Saclag, a kickboxing convert from wushu where he first made a name for himself in the continent, assured himself of the men’s low kick -63.5-kg class bronze medal following his 3-0 conquest of Souliyavong Latxasak of Laos on Sunday.

But the 27-year-old from Kalinga and Benguet would be utilizing his veteran smarts from his numerous interna-

come them to Hanoi.

“So far, so good. The arrivals have been going on smoothly. We are preparing for the opening ceremony and have been continuously providing assistance to our athletes,’’ said PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, the country’s chef de mission to the Games.

Biado is the reigning US Open 8-ball champion and last year’s US Open 9-ball

champion after striking gold in the 2017 World Games in Poland. While men’s football, beach handball, kickboxing, and diving events are already in full swing.

Filipino rowers and athletes from pencak silat and chess are warming up to kick off their respective medal campaigns.

The nation’s participation in the 11-nation multisports meet has been

funded by the PSC, the government arm in sports, to fuel the title-retention bid of the 980-strong delegation, including 641 athletes from 38 sports.

Team Philippines captured the overall title when it hosted the Games in 2019 where Filipino athletes collected 149 gold, 117 silver, and 121 bronze medals from 56 sports.

Hurdler Clinton Bautis-

FPH, P10

Jean Claude Saclag

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Philippine women’s football team versus Cambodia in SEA Games.

KICKSTART

PH women’s football team whips Cambodia 5-0

T

he Philippine women’s football team breezed past Cambodia, 5-0, on Monday night to jumpstart its campaign in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

The Filipinas got off to an auspicious start at the Cam Pha Stadium in Quang Ninh, Vietnam in their bid to take home a medal as part of their build-up for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Head coach Alen Stajcic said the team is still groping for form after a grueling travel from its training base in Sydney to the tournament venue, which is a three hours away from Hanoi.

The Filipinas only had a 1-0 lead on a goal by Isabella Flanigan in the 27th minute, but poured it on in the second half with goals from Sarina Bolden in the 64th, Eva Madarang in the 68th, Quinley

Quezada in the 76th, and Anicka Castaneda in the 80th.

“I thought for our first game, probably it wasn’t our best performance,” said Stajcic. “But considering that we had a long travel day the other day. More than 20 hours to get here. It’s tough. In this conditions, it’s very hot and humid. It’s not easy to get your legs.

“When we found our legs and found our energy, we were definitely more effective. A lot of room for improvement.”

The Philippines goes for a sweep of Group A with an important clash against host Vietnam on Wednesday.