Edge Davao Volume 15 Issue 25 | Friday, May 13, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

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VP frontrunner Sara looms to be DepEd Secretary STORY ON PAGE 2

Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte is proclaimed as the newly-elected mayor of Davao City, becoming the third member of the Duterte family to hold the post since 1988. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

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Presumptive vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio agrees to take the helm of the Department of Education (DepEd), according to incoming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Edge Davao

VP frontrunner Sara looms to be DepEd Secretary

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ducing skilled learners with the mindset to realize their full potential as individuals.

Our country needs a future generation of patriotic Fil-

ipinos that advocate peace and discipline in their respective communities,” she said in a statement.

This is in relation to the announcement made by presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr on Wednesday that he is eyeing Duterte-Carpio as Secretary of the Depart-

ment of Education (DepEd) should he be proclaimed.

“I think I am authorized to announce the first nominee for the cabinet post that I will be giving to Commission on Appointment when the time comes should I be proclaimed and that is that our incoming vice presi-

Speaking on the Davao City Disaster Radio Wednesday morning, Vaccination Cluster Head, Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said that coordination meetings have been conducted for the simultaneous rollout of the immunization activities with the goal of increasing the anti-Covid vaccination

coverage at the same time catching up with the missed routine vaccinations.

“Nagsugod na ang meeting nato for reaching people labi na sa lagyo na lugar. Adtuon lang gyud sila.

Naga-create mi og additional na vaccination team nga moadto didto dungan sa vaccination team para sa

mga bata (We have started our meetings for reaching out to people, especially in far flung areas. We need to go there. We created an additional vaccination team that will go together with the vaccination team for the children),” Villafuerte said.

The routine immuni-

resumptive Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio agreed to head the Department of Education (DepEd) to help produce “skilled learners” for the country.

“The presumptive President and I once again talked about how I could help the country. It was decided that I would work on pro-

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CHO to roll out expanded immunization program T

he City Health Office (CHO) will roll out Davao City’s expanded immunization program simultaneously with the anti-Covid Vaccination activities in far-flung barangays in a bid to avoid an outbreak of other diseases while still in the coronavirus pandemic.

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2 killed, 2 hurt in Basilan post-election ambush

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wo political supporters were killed while two others were wounded in a post-election ambush in the hinterlands of Basilan province, a top police official said Wednesday.

In a report, Col. Pedro Martirez, Basilan police director, said the incident transpired around 11 a.m.

Wednesday in the village of Matikang in Lantawan town.

Martirez identified the slain victims as Omar Manasal, 37, and his wife, Nurmina, 39. Injured were Sandra Manasal, 45, and Benhad, 44, also both surnamed Manasal.

Manasal’s group was in a convoy of vehicles

traveling to Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province when a group of unidentified gunmen waylaid them.

Initial investigation said the victims are followers of Suhod Manasal, a former village councilor in Barangay Bagbagon of the municipality.

Manasal is a known supporter of the Ismael couple—Nursiya and Rustam—who were proclaimed Wednesday as winners in the town’s mayoralty and vice mayoralty race, respectively.

Martirez declined to comment if the incident is election-related, pending an ongoing investigation.

(PNA)

5K housing units for gov’t workers in Davao Region

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here are about 5,000 housing units for government workers in the Davao Region under the Government Employees Housing Program of the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Among these housing projects include Madayaw Residences in Bangkal, Davao City, Blue Farm in Biao Escuela, Davao City, Ciudad de Dahican in Mati City, Maresca Homes in the Island Garden City of Samal, Xavier Heights in Catalunan Grande, Davao City, Balai San Agustin in Panabo City, and Kapyaan Heights in Digos City.

Guesting at Habi at Kape Media Forum held at Abreeza Ayala Mall, Atty Al-

fer John Alcaraz OIC district 1 manager of the NHA said these housing projects are being patronized by government workers baring that only 300 units remain in Davao City. As of today, there are already 1,000 units being reserved for the whole region.

He added that they are adding 1,000 more units in the Kapyaan Heights in Digos City and hundreds more in St. Michael’s in Panabo.

“Hopefully marami mag apply at ma-occupy na nila para makapagbukas kami ng bago (many will apply and they can occupy so that we can open new sites),” Alcaraz said.

F5K HOUSING, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

NEWS

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President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a meeting with key government officials prior to his “Talk to the People” at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on May 11, 2022. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Nordeco energizes 110 households in DavNor Baste, Pulong absent during proclamation

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ewly-elected Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and First District representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte were not present during the proclamation of newly-elected officials of Davao City on Wednesday.

Baste, who garnered 621,766 votes, gave his message to the Dabawenyos through online.

“Mga Dabawenyos salamat kaayo sa inyong pagsalig sa akoa. Salamat sa oportunidad na gihatag ninyo. Ako pud naa pud ko’y ma-amot sa atong syudad. Naay tulo ka tuig para mupakita ko ug resulta sa inyuha. Pagkahuman sa tulo ka tuig kamo na lang bahala kung unsaon na ninyo.Ako nagpasalamat kaninyo. Dili lalim na ang tao musalig sa imoha ug musuporta sa imoha. Salamat gyud kaayo,” he said in his virtual message.

Meanwhile, lawyer Melchor Quitain Jr, who was running unopposed, was proclaimed vice mayor of

Davao City with 561,976 votes.

The proclamation was led by the City Board of Canvassers at the session hall of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) attended by winning candidates, comprising veterans, comebacking and newbies, and their families and supporters.

Winning councilors for District 1 are Edgar “Kap” Ibuyan Jr., garnered 156,764 votes; Luna Acosta, 153,835 votes; Jessica Bonguyan, 146,458 votes; Tek Ocampo, 144,502; Bernie Al-ag, 141,273 votes; Bonz Militar, 138,891 votes; Pilar Braga, 132,506 votes; and Nilo “Small” Abellera, 103,000 votes.

For District 2 are Cheche Justol, 175, 678 votes; Javi Campos-Garcia, 172,795 votes; Louie John Bonguyan, 164,401 votes; Dante Apostol, 163,960 votes; Atty. Diosdado “Konsi” Mahipus, 152,160 votes; Jonard Dayap, 150, 707

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

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Electrification Administration (NEA) that aims

to light up sitios/puroks in every corner of the country especially those in remote areas.

Last month, Nordeco lighted up Purok 6 in Barangay San Nicholas in Panabo City; Purok 8 in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Panabo City and Purok 9 and 10 in New Jagna in Kipalili, San Isidro, in Davao Del

Norte.

Nordeco vowed to continue energizing far-flung sitios through SEP. Electric cooperatives started lighting up rural areas towards sustainable rural development as mandated by the National Government since 1969.

saster Radio (DCDR) on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

“This started on April 26 but was not just properly announced. Ang kinsa magpa-booster dose makadawat og isa ka kilong bugas maski asa sa mga operational vaccination hubs nga naga-cater og boosters (Whoever wants to get a booster dose will receive one kilo of rice in any of the city’s operational vaccination hubs that are catering to boosters),” she said.

But the free rice is only

available until the supply lasts.

The task force, according to her, is bent on creating ways to encourage more Dabawenyos to avail of the city’s free booster vaccination as it has been very slow for quite some time.

As of the Vaccination Cluster’s May 6, 2022 report, at least 252,267 or 19.24 percent of the 1,311,008 fully immunized individuals in the city have received their first booster

jabs.

From the 249,360 who received their first boosters as of April 29, 2022, only 2,907 were added to that number after one week.

Of the 252,267 who got their first booster shot, at least 734 or 0.29 percent received their second booster dose as of May 6, 2022.

Dr. Schlosser said, “From our first announcement that only the immunocompromised individu-

he Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco) formerly Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Daneco) has energized a total of 110 households in four sitios of the Municipality of San Isidro, Davao del Norte through the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP).

SEP is one of the projects of the National

Dabawenyos availing of booster shots to receive free rice from Covid-19 TF

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he City Government of Davao, through the Vaccination Cluster of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, is giving away one kilo of rice for each Dabawenyo who avails of a booster shot.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the spokesperson of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, bared this in an interview with the City Information Office (CIO) after her guesting at the weekly COVID-19 Alert program of 97.5 FM Davao City Di-

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research expects a smooth transition from the outgoing Duterte administration to the Marcos administration that will likely continue focusing on infrastructure development. Edge Davao

Fitch sees smooth transition, continued focus on infra dev’t

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itch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research sees a smooth transition to the next administration that will likely continue focusing on infrastructure development.

“We expect a smooth transition to the Marcos administration from the outgoing Duterte administration, with little changes in policy direction,” the industry and credit research firm said in a report released on Wednesday, citing unofficial vote count results showing former senator Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. leading the presidential race.

The firm said “Marcos is likely to continue focusing on infrastructure development on the economic front, while striving to maintain a delicate balancing act between the US and China in terms of foreign policy.”

“Going forward, we ex-

pect the change in administration to result in only negligible changes to both economic and foreign policy direction,” it added.

The report said Marcos has had little indication regarding his government’s policy nor the details of his prospective Cabinet.

It also projects that the current administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program will likely be continued, citing Marcos’ earlier statements.

It cited Marcos’ bid to put up an oil price stabilization fund (OPSF) as a long-term solution to ad-

dress the oil price upticks instead of removing the excise tax on fuel products.

Other commitments of the Marcos camp, which the report compiled from the presidential candidate’s website, include supporting the hog-raising sector to address pork price increases, decongesting traffic in Metro Manila through the modernization of ferry transportation system along the Pasig River, promoting of renewable energy to help lower power cost, and to save the country’s environment and natural resources.

PH leads way in golden rice commercialization

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he deployment of the first engineered and nutrition-rich golden rice is seen as one of the last legacies of the Duterte administration before it ends in less than two months’ time.

In a virtual presser, Agriculture Secretary William Dar noted the positive development on Tuesday, as the agency is eying its commer-

cialization following its kickoff in Nueva Ecija, on May 6.

“Pilipinas (The Philippines) is leading the way in terms of development, commercialization of golden rice. This is one legacy that we can say, be very important in terms of, again, ensuring food and nutrition in the country,” he said.

Likewise, DA spokesper-

billion a year earlier.

The company’s consolidated revenues also grew 16% to P112.1 billion from P96.9 billion year-on-year.

“Our financial performance in the first quarter showed continued recovery momentum with accelerating revenue and net income growth. As a group, we are delivering pre-pandemic performance, with strong recovery continuing in our

businesses that were hardest hit by the pandemic.

While there are still headwinds from geopolitical risks, we continue to see consumer confidence gaining momentum,” said SM Investments president and CEO Frederic DyBuncio.

SM Investment said its banking business accounted for 49% of its consolidated net income, followed by

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FTAs secure consistent SM Investments nets trade policy for PH: DTI P12B in Q1, up 27%

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s the Philippines transitions to a new administration by June, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the country’s bilateral and regional trade deals secure consistent trade and investment policy for the government.

In a webinar of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Wednesday, DTI Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty said the agency had

solid trade policy direction for the past years, especially strengthening economic partnerships with major trading partners namely the United States and the European Union (EU).

Gepty said the Philippines has yet to have free trade agreements (FTAs) with these two major trading partners, but is currently enjoying zero-duty on a wide range of goods through the Generalized System of Preferences

(GSP) with the US and Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) with the EU. Government data show that the US was the country’s top destination for Philippine goods last year with exports amounting to USD11.85 billion, and the fifth largest import source amounting to USD7.74 billion.

On the other hand, Philippine exports to the EU

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y-led conglomerate SM Investments Corp. booked a double-digit growth in its net income in the first quarter of 2022 on the back of continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, SM Investments reported a consolidated net income of P12 billion, up 27% from P9.5

FSM, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

ECONOMY

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Fishing boats are docked near a coastal community in Pujada Bay, Mati City. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has reported that the value of production for agriculture and fisheries contracted by -0.3 percent in the first quarter of this year. Edge Davao

Agri, fish value production contracts by -0.3% in Q1 T

he value of production for agriculture and fisheries contracted by -0.3 perUS rates hike, market uncertainties cent in the first quarter of 2022, acimpact bourse’s performance cording to the Philippine Statistics Authorational Economic nang mag-address (So ity (PSA).

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and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said on Wednesday the interest rates hike in the United States and the uncertainties in the market brought by the upcoming change in administration mainly affect the performance of the local stock market.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) has declined for two straight trading days after the conduct of the national and local elections.

The local bourse shed bigger on Wednesday by 1.27 percent to 6,635.86 from Tuesday’s losses of 0.58 percent.

During the Laging Handa public briefing, Edillon said should this downward trend continue, the economic team will closely monitor this development.

“So, iyon po ang kailangan nating bantayan dito, kasi kung halimbawa temporary po na pagbaba ay hindi po tayo gumagawa ng aksiyon sa mga temporary na pangyayari.

Pero kung masu-sustain po ito, ito iyong kailangan

that’s what we need to monitor here, because if, for example, this is only a temporary decline, we will not take any action due to temporary circumstances. But if it will be sustained, this is what we need to address),” the NEDA official said.

She said the decline of PSEi in the past two days is caused by several factors, including the interest rates hike in the US, and the uncertainties locally as the country transitions to a new leadership.

“It’s really a function of several factors ‘no. Isa na rin diyan iyong pagtaas ng interest rates sa US. So, iyong iba po ay pumupunta po sa US markets kasi biglang naging mataas na iyong returns doon sa kanila (One factor is the interest rates hike in the US. So, others are going to the US markets because of the higher returns there for them),” Edillon said.

She added the economic team hopes that the decline in the local stock market’s performance is temporary.

(PNA)

The current data released on Wednesday is considered an improvement compared to the same quarter last year, with a recorded drop of -3.4 percent.

In the data, the value

of production declined by -5.8 percent for fisheries; -1.6 percent for crops; and -1.0 percent for livestock.

“Double-digit decreases were recorded by: mudcrab (alimango)

at -24.8 percent, skipjack (gulyasan) at -20.2 percent, fimbriated sardines (tunsoy) at -13.5 percent, milkfish (bangus) at -12.7 percent, tiger prawn (sugpo) at -11.3 percent, and slipmouth (sapsap) at -10.0 percent,” the PSA said.

However, the poultry production value has grown by 12.3 percent for the said quarter.

“Poultry production

expanded by 12.3 percent. It contributed 15.0 percent to the total value of production in agriculture and fisheries. Except for duck, all poultry commodities posted increments in the value of production,” the PSA said.

Agriculture and fisheries production also amounts to PHP498.61 billion, which is higher by 2.1 percent compared to last year. (PNA)

in a webinar of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Wednesday.

After it was ratified by President Rodrigo Duterte in September last year, the Senate’s concurrence on RCEP is needed before the country can deposit its instrument of ratification.

The country can reap the benefits of the free trade agreement (FTA) two months after depositing the ratification document.

“Not only this is (a) very important milestone free trade agreement for Asean but very important and

critical agreement for the Philippines, not to mention that this is also a legacy of the current administration because this FTA has been negotiated for almost eight years —it’s in the present administration that we conclude (it). Hopefully, our senators can act on this RCEP agreement this month,” said Gepty, who is also the country’s lead negotiator for RCEP. He said that with the rapid increase in commodity prices, RCEP could help in managing inflation.

“Through FTAs, tariff rates have been liberalized

which in effect lowers the prices of goods which includes raw materials, intermediate goods, and final goods,” Gepty added.

He said Philippine agricultural products will be more competitive in 14 other participating countries.

For instance, the papaya and durian tariff to South Korea is currently at 24 percent under the Asean-Korea FTA (AKFTA). It will be down to zero in 10 years under RCEP. “Without RCEP, then their competitors in Malaysia and Thailand will have

DTI still hopeful for RCEP concurrence this month

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) remains hopeful that the Senate will concur with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Asean-led free trade deal with its five free trade partners, this month.

This, as Congress is expected to resume its session on May 23.

“At present, our focus is on the present Congress…

We will try our best that the RCEP will finish the process when the Senate resumes this month,” DTI Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty said

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

On his election as the next Mayor of Davao City:

Mga Dabawenyos salamat kaayo sa inyong pagsalig sa akoa. Salamat sa oportunidad na gihatag ninyo. Ako pud naa pud ko’y ma-amot sa atong syudad. Naay tulo ka tuig para mupakita ko ug resulta sa inyuha. Pagkahuman sa tulo ka tuig kamo na lang bahala kung unsaon na ninyo.Ako nagpasalamat kaninyo. Dili lalim na ang tao musalig sa imoha ug musuporta sa imoha.

Salamat gyud kaayo.”

Newly-elected Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

MENDING A BROKEN HEART “Let go. Why do you cling to pain? There is nothing you can do about the wrongs of yesterday.

It is not yours to judge. Why hold on to the very thing which keeps you from hope and love?” – Leo Buscaglia ***

Two nights ago, my friend paid me a surprise visit. It was very late and he seemed to be drunk. What made me worried was the fact that he was in tears.

Supposedly men don’t cry (although I know that Jesus wept and a lot of other famous men also did).

“It’s finally all over with us,” he told me. My friend was referring to his relationship with his girlfriend. They were engaged for five years and was about to get married this June. But something happened: Her childhood sweetheart came back from the United States and they have rekindled their love affair.

Yes, my friend is broken-hearted! Broken heart (or heartbreak) is a common metaphor used to describe the intense emotional pain or suffering a person feels after losing a loved one, through death, separation, moving, being rejected,

or other means.

As my friend was sharing his heart woes, the line of Helen Reddy’s song came into my mind: “I can’t say goodbye to you no matter how I try. You’re such a part of me, without you I would die.”

For many people having a broken heart is something that may not be recognized at first, as it takes time for an emotional or physical loss to be fully acknowledged. As Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson puts it: “Human beings are not always aware of what they are feeling. Like animals, they may not be able to put their feelings into words.”

This does not mean we have no feelings. Well-known psychologist Sigmund Freud once speculated that a man could be in love with a woman for six years and not know it until many years later. Such a man, with all the goodwill in the world, could not have verbalized what he did not know. He had feelings, but he did not know about them.

It may sound like a paradox — paradoxical because when we think of a feeling, we think of something that we are consciously aware of feeling. As Freud put it in his 1915 article The Unconscious: “It is surely of

the essence of an emotion that we should be aware of it. Yet it is beyond question that we can ‘have’ feelings that we do not know about.”

Even the Holy Bible has a passage on the subject: “Insults have broken my heart and left me weak, I looked for sympathy but there was none; I found no one to comfort me” (Psalm 69:20. In this verse, King David explains that insults have broken his heart, not loss or pain. It is also a popular belief that rejection, major or minor, can break an individual’s heart. This heartbreak can be greatly increased if rejected by a loved one or someone whom you respect.

So, it’s finally over. But you can’t move. Helen Reddy crooned: “I can’t say goodbye to you no matter how I tried. You’re such a part of me. Without you, I would die deep in the heart of me. I know that you and I were meant to be forever, I can’t tell you goodbye.”

There is no such thing as forever – even in love.

Now, going back to my friend.

As I looked at him, I was reminded of the words of England Dan and John Ford Coley. “Every now and then I cry. Every night you keep staying on my mind. All

my friends say I’ll survive, it just takes time.”

So, how do you mend a broken heart? This was the question he posed to me. I was caught by surprise but I was prepared already. Having been broken hearted several times over, I can say I am an expert on the subject.

Accept it. No matter what you do, it is the end of a beautiful relationship. If there is a beginning, there is always an ending.

You can’t control the feelings of the other person. When it comes to love, two hearts must beat as one. If there’s only one that beats, then it is not love at all. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, be glad that you were part of the person’s life before.

It’s not the end of the world.

Just because you won’t see your loved ones anymore, the world is going to end. The fact is: the wind will continue from blowing, the sun from shining, and the sea rushing to shore. Your friends and enemies may talk about the failed relationship but that’s part of life. You are still in control of your life. You can even sing the Every Brothers’ song: “I’m through with romance, I’m through with love. I’m through with counting the stars above.”

Move on. It’s okay to think

of your beloved for a day or a week. But after that, move on.

Count your blessings. That person may not be the right person for you. I have known a lot of people who said, “I should have not married early in life.” Or you might be singing the song of Ogie Alcasid: “Bakit ngayon ka lang dumating sa buhay ko.”

The break up might be a sign that someone much better is just waiting for you.

Find another love. Easier said than done. I am sure you have heard it before: “I won’t find another love but you.” What they really meant is that they won’t open their heart again for another new love. Instead, listen to your heart. Love will find a way. “I believe for everyone who goes astray,” Tom Jones sings, “some will come to show the way.”

These rules are not foolproof. There are those that despite what they do, they continue to be broken hearted. As Christie Brinkley puts it: “I’d rather have a broken arm than a broken heart.”

Margaret George offers this simple advice to heal that broken heart: “The cure for a broken heart is simple, my lady. A hot bath and a good night’s sleep.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

MASSACRE OF ARMY TROOPS AIn the annals of Army history in Davao region, one of the bloodiest was the ambush of the soldiers from the 1st Scout Ranger Army regiment by New People’s Army (NPA) guerril-las.

The ambuscade, which cost the lives of fifteen troopers and injured four others, was the costliest in terms of military lives lost in just a single incident. It took place on August 27, 1986, in the barangay Santa Josefa, San Vicente, Davao del Norte.

In his report to Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, then AFP chief of staff, Brig. Gen. Antonio Lukban, acting deputy chief of staff for logistics, described the bloodstained episode as ‘a well-planned trap’ using land mines lodged along the route where armed forces were expected to travel. Prior to this, around two hundred rebels were strategically scattered

in houses along the ba-rangay road.

For maximum impact, the insurgents planted fifteen mines in a similar number of huts, predicting that in case of ambush from their side the military operatives, outnumbered at the time of the happening, would seek cover in the shacks and accidentally trigger the explosives.

The New Philippine Daily Express, quoting Lukban, later reported: ‘Much of the slain sol-diers… were badly mangled and peppered with shrapnels of the claymore mines.’

Although the rebels withdrew to avoid the oncoming military reinforcements, the ambush created a rift between the provincial government and the military organization in the area and undermined the image of the AFP in its preparedness

to fight the insurgents. It took sometime before the wrangle was resolved.

Curiously, the bloody episode transpired after the provincial government led by Gov. Prospero Amatong and the NPA commanders agreed to forge a ceasefire. He blamed the Army for fielding two companies of Scout Rangers and violating the terms of the truce which stipulated that no patrols whatsoever would be deployed and the military must stay in the barracks.

Days later, three senior military officers, angered by the turn of events, came out in the open and were allowed to be interviewed by the press. They denied accusations the military establishment violated the ceasefire signed on August 14, 1986, given that at the time of the incident the accord was not

yet in full force.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Recina, a senior regional officer, criticized the pact for violating the pol-icies of President Corazon Aquino, saying ‘there will be no ceasefire with (the) return of the troops to the barracks (for) that will give the insurgents a free zone within which to operate with impunity.’

For his part. Brig. Gen. Lukban argued that the accord virtually gave rebels the freedom to operate in the western part of the province while Brig. Gen. Luis San Andres, AFP civil service relations chief, panned the governor for being used by the communist insurgents, adding: ‘It appears by his (Amatong’s) pronouncements and actuation that he is the officer in charge of the shadow government and the officer in charge of the present government in Davao del Norte.’

On the other hand, Maj. Gen. Eduardo Ermita, AFP deputy chief of staff, contradicted Amatong’s statement by saying the soldiers assigned in the province and other parts of the country would not remain in the barracks but continue the patrol of their areas of assign-ment, saying ‘The Davao incident should serve as a lesson for the military not to lower its guard.’

The disgust generated by the bloody episode reverberated throughout the military institu-tion, apparently disappointed that the peace negotiations excluded them, which was a condi-tion setby the rebels for the agreement to be signed.

The non-involvement of the AFP in the talks was also viewed by certain sectors as odd given that the military is the counterpart of the NPA if a ceasefire has to be agreed upon.

8

EDGEDAVAO EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

COMPETITIVE EDGE

LANDBANK, gov’t partners spark hope for Antique student LAUA-AN, Antique – In this rural town, the future shines bright for 21-yearold college student Marvie Ann Berdin.

Only a few years away from attaining her dream of becoming a civil engineer, Marvie continues to brave through numerous hardships and financial difficulties, thanks to the support she receives from various government agencies.

Marvie has had to face life’s challenges at a young age, with unemployed par-

ents who could barely make ends meet, let alone finance the education of their eight children.

But Marvie was not deterred from attending elementary school, even if it meant travelling by foot for two hours and crossing a river every day. She also took on several jobs to support her education, including being a part-time house helper and a student assistant.

Augmenting their family income for daily expens-

es and medication for her ill father, Marvie’s mother, Maricel, regularly receives government subsidy as a beneficiary of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

When previously, Maricel had to wait in line at the covered court in their town for almost the entire day just to get the cash aid during payouts, digital innovation has now made it easier for her to receive the

Hope shines brightest in the dark – As darkness falls, college student Marvie Ann Berdin of Laua-an, Antique, relies on the dim light of a gas lamp as she completes her schoolwork.

(Photo courtesy of Marvie Ann Berdin)

subsidy.

Since receiving a prepaid card from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), Maricel has been heading to the nearest LANDBANK Branch in San Jose, Antique, to withdraw the cash subsidy conveniently and safely in just a few minutes.

“Dahil hindi marunong si mama mag-withdraw sa ATM, mas pinipili niya na mag-withdraw over-thecounter sa LANDBANK Branch. Palagi siyang inaalalayan ng mga staff doon,” Marvie narrates.

Recently, Maricel prefers to cash-out their subsidy from the Barbaza Multi-Purpose Cooperative, an Agent Banking Partner operating on behalf of LANDBANK, which caters to their town.

Apart from cash withdrawal from LANDBANK Branches and ATMs, CCT beneficiaries can also use the LANDBANK CCT Prepaid Cards to make cashless purchases in groceries and drugstores, among others.

The state-run Bank also recently converted the LANDBANK CCT Prepaid Cards into transaction accounts, which provides access to additional services such as cash loading via LANDBANK branches and

Cash Deposit Machines, receiving of funds from other agencies through institutional top-up, from LANDBANK accounts through the LANDBANK Mobile Banking Application (MBA), iAccess and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and from other bank accounts via InstaPay. Along with the cash assistance the family receives, Marvie also receives a stipend to support her studies as a grantee of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST).

Currently, Marvie goes to the LANDBANK Antique Branch to encash the cheque she receives under the TES Program. Soon, she will benefit from LANDBANK’s partnership with CHED and UniFAST, with the ongoing distribution of LANDBANK CHED-UniFAST Prepaid Cards to TES beneficiaries.

The LANDBANK CHED-UniFAST Prepaid Card is a general-purpose reloadable card that functions as an electronic wallet and can be used as a debit or ATM card, allowing TES beneficiaries to convenient-

ly withdraw their student allowance from LANDBANK ATMs, Branches, and Agent Banking Partners nationwide. They can also use the LANDBANK CHED-UniFAST Prepaid Cards for cashless payments, electronic fund transfers, and online account management, among others.

“Salamat sa LANDBANK sa magandang serbisyo upang maihatid ang suporta ng gobyerno sa akin at sa aking pamilya, lalo na ngayon panahon ng pandemya.

Malaking tulong ang inyong produkto at serbisyo upang maipagpatuloy ko ang aking pag-aaral,” says Marvie.

Just recently, Marvie won second runner-up in the MyTEStimony photo contest of LANDBANK and CHED-UniFAST, where she photographed herself studying at home, with only a gas lamp as her only source of light. With the cash prize, she was able to buy a mobile phone that she uses for her online classes.

As part of its commitment of serving the nation, LANDBANK is the main distribution arm of financial assistance under the National Government’s social protection programs, in partnership with various government agencies.

A new name, new improved Edelweiss formula for drops of youth GCash and CIMB Bank offer up to 7% p.a. interest with GSave To help Filipinos grow their finances and achieve their #IponGoals, GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the country, and CIMB Bank, the country’s leading digital banking services provider, are offering as much as 7% per annum on GSave. Currently the highest interest rate available in the market, the offer is available to GCash users who will sign up for their first GSave account from April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022.

The GSave feature has been live in the GCash app since December 2018 in partnership with CIMB Bank. It has been providing unbanked Filipinos with the opportunity to open a savings account that requires no initial deposit, maintaining balance, or lock-in period.

A study conducted by GCash revealed that one out of every 5 banked adults has a GSave account, while a total of 5.3 million users have reg-

istered to GSave by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

“At GCash, we continuously strive to realize our vision of financial inclusion for all which is why we try to address the barrier between unbanked Filipinos and having a savings account.

With GSave, we are enabling more Filipinos to grow their finances and build a better future for themselves and their loved ones,” said Martha Sazon, president and CEO of GCash.

The partnership with CIMB Bank has been helping GCash support the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ thrust to grow the number of Filipinos with a formal bank account by up to 70% in 2023.

Based on estimates from monetary authorities, the number of banked Filipinos adults has already increased to 41 million as of the third quarter of 2021 or around 53% of total adult Filipinos.

To start saving via GSave, users just have to

click its icon on the GCash dashboard and tap GSave

by CIMB Bank. Then, click “Open a Savings Account.”

On the Save Money Registration page, tick the box under CIMB Bank Policies

to agree to the Terms and Conditions and tap Open a Savings Account. Lastly, tap “OK” after the confirmation message has been displayed. The 7% p.a. interest rate will be ef-

fective for new users and will be applied to the first P100,000 average daily balance in the account for the first three months after successful account opening. A 4% p.a. promo

interest rate will apply to balances from P100,000 to P200,000, which is still higher than what traditional banks offer.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

9 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

HIV test: A person gets to know if he or she is infected with HIV if he or she undergoes HIV test (WHO)

E

xperience, so goes a popular saying, is the best teacher.

Jonathan (not his real name) is an example. He can teach well because he has experienced it himself. A noted health advocate from Digos City, he is a person living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV).

HIV is the virus that causes the dreaded disease. While the person remains healthy, he is said to be HIV-infected. But as the disease progresses and symptoms appear, he may develop the late stage of the disease called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Most of his friends know that he is a PLHIV as he has revealed his situation to them. “Of course, they are saddened,” Jonathan discloses. “(After hearing my story), they tapped my shoulder and wished that I would surpass all the things that happened to me knowing that I have a positive outlook in life.”

He says he has nothing to hide anymore. As a matter of fact, his colleagues at the Department

of Education (DepEd) have known the matter already.

“I don’t have anything to be ashamed of,” he says bluntly. “My honesty and being open has paved me for more blessings and favors as they offer prayers for me and so with other PLHIVs.” A public senior high school teacher, Jonathan teaches accountancy, business and management strands subjects. He grew up being taken care of by his mother, who’s a single mom.

“I’ve felt the love from my relatives (mostly female-figures),” he admits.

“Just like they said, I was a mama’s boy. I used to play with cooking materials, but I never missed playing basketball, too. I even played traditional Filipino games outdoors with my friends in

HIV/AIDS: THE

PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE

(FIRST OF TWO PARTS)

Text by HENRYLITO D. TACIO Images from WHO our neighborhood. I think I had a mixed upbringing during my childhood days.”

Now 35, Jonathan had his first sexual encounter with a man when he was still a teenager. After that, he had lots of trysts. More so when he was already in college. He met some of his sexual partners in youth organization meetings (from which he was very active) and even online chat platforms.

HIV positive: More and more young people are reported to be HIV-positive (WHO)

Of course, he had heard about the dreaded disease from newspapers and other forms of information. “My partner and I practiced safe sex when we do anal sex,” he says, “but with oral sex, we don’t use any condoms.”

In 2011, he attended a program in Manila as he was a Posi+ve Youth Ambassador for a non-government organization. Knowing that he was sexually active, his friends cajoled him to undergo HIV testing.

At first, he was adamant but he finally relented. All laboratory results were negative.

His life completely changed in 2017 when he was finally diagnosed with HIV+. He was admitted to the hospital because his stomach was aching continuously. He felt uneasy and was dehydrated, too.

“I was so thin at that time – from my normal weight of 58 kilograms, it dropped suddenly to 46 kilograms,” he says.

The doctor found something was wrong with him.

So, he recommended the patient to undergo HIV testing. “After few hours of getting tested, the nurse – who happened to be a former colleague in youth gover-

nance – told me the result,” he says.

He accepted the result “without hesitation.” After learning it, “I said to myself and paused for a while and talked to the Lord to heal me and use me to continue my advocacy in making a difference in my community in particular and the whole country in general,” he says.

After getting the result, he immediately told his mother, his friends and colleagues. Though it wasn’t easy, he had to come out.

There is so much stigma and discrimination when it comes to HIV/AIDS and he wants to do something about it, he says.

“I was admired by my friends and colleagues for coming out as PLHIV,” he says now. “I need to be brave so others can see in me that it is not the end of life yet and that there is still hope.”

The first case of a person infected with HIV was in 1981. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report of five young men with fatal or life-threatening Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP).

Almost never seen in

people with intact immune systems, PCP turns out to be one of the major “opportunistic infections” that kill people with AIDS. Since then, so many things have happened. In 1985, Hollywood actor Rock Hudson died of AIDS – thus giving the disease the much-needed face.

The Geneva-based World Health Organization reported that there were 37.7 million people living with HIV, 1.5 million new HIV infections and 680,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2020. Around 65% of HIV infections globally were among key populations, including sex workers and their clients, gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and transgender people, and their sexual partners.

In the Philippines, the first case of HIV infection was reported in 1984. Since then, the numbers have gone up. Early this year, the HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) of the health department said there were 875 confirmed HIV-positive individuals in January 2020.

The National Capital Re-

FHIV/AIDS, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO SEC ... FROM2

dent has agreed to take the brief of the Department of Education,” Marcos said in an online press statement.

He said the position is fit for her because Duterte-Carpio is a mother who wants her children to be well-trained and well-educated.

“Si Inday Sara, tinanong ko sa kanya kung kaya niya yung trabaho dahil mahirap ang trabaho ng Secretary of DepEd, pero nag-agree naman siya at palagay ko kasama na diyan dahil she is a mother and she wants to make sure that her chidlren are well-trained and well-educated and that’s the best motivation we can hope for,” Marcos said.

On her end, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said DepEd family is ready to work with Duterte-Carpio.

In a statement, Briones said DepEd will turnover the Basic Education Plan 2030, the first time that an outgoing administration will leave behind a medium-term plan.

“We are confident that DepEd will be in able hands and anticipate a continuity,” she said.

Meanwhile, netizens cheered Marcos’ announcement as the position will allow Duterte-Carpio to carry out her thrust of making the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory for all 18-year-old Filipinos if she wins as vice president.

In January this year, Duterte-Carpio said she will use the office of the Vice President to ask the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines to

make military service mandatory in the country.

“Before the campaign, we talked about the Department of National Defense.

But seeing the way things are at the moment, I expect that people who want to see the new administration to fail will fabricate intrigues about my loyalty and the DND position to break the UniTeam,” Duterte-Carpio said.

Netizen Jose Enrico V. Libunao posted that “at first glance, it appears the government just wants to fix the country’s education system. But you go deeper and you begin to realize that they’re addressing something more important: instilling respect, nationalism, and putting an end to the non-stop radicalization, recruitment, and brainwashing of the Filipino youth by the left. Sara Duterte is perfect for the job and President Rodrigo Duterte (PRRD) is nodding in agreement.”

On the other hand, Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco, spokesperson of Duterte-Carpio clarified that at present, Duterte-Carpio has not expressed a preference for any cabinet position.

“My remarks regarding the Department of National Defense were made in response to a question from the media, and which I based on a previous statement by President-elect Bongbong Marcos earlier this year. We fully recognize that the choice of cabinet positions is within the discretion of the President,” she said in a statement.

als can avail of the second booster dose, we can now roll it out to all A1, A2, and A3 priority groups as well after receiving the directive and guidelines from the Department of Health.”

Medical frontliners (A1), senior citizens (A2), and adults with comorbidities (A3) can start getting their second booster shots at least three months after receiving the first booster dose.

The city health official said that fast lanes have been set up for business processing outsource

(BPO) workers at the People’s Park and for public utility drivers at the Crocodile Park. These two parks are operational from Mondays to Saturdays, catering to 12 years old and above vaccinees needing primary and booster doses.

Meanwhile, Dr. Schlosser also called on parents and guardians to have their children aged five to 11 years old vaccinated as soon as possible since faceto-face classes have started in some schools and a lot of young students remain unvaccinated.

property at 29% and retail at 16%.

The company’s portfolio investments contributed 6%.

“Our portfolio investments provide us good growth opportunities as we continue to look for further investments in high growth areas in the Philippines,”

said DyBuncio.

Growth in SM’s portfolio investments was led by Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. which reported a net income of P1.22 billion, up 191% year-onyear, boosted by higher production and higher metal prices.

an advantage because they will be enjoying the said preferential arrangement while our local farmers and exporters under AKFTA will not be enjoying said benefits,” Gepty said.

For Philippine pineapple exports to China, tariff under Asean-China FTA is at 5 per-

cent. It will drop to zero in 20 years under RCEP. “Without RCEP, their competitors in Indonesia and Thailand will be enjoying the said benefits while our farmers and exporters will be placed in a disadvantaged position,” he added. (PNA)

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zation covers children 0 to 12 months old and 0-23 months for catch-up vaccination or those who missed their routine vaccinations for the prevention of polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, influenza, pneumonia and other diseases.

On the other hand, the anti-Covid vaccination will cover the 5-11 age group, 12-17 age group, and 18 years old and above.

According to Villafuerte, the 5-11 age group for the anti-Covid jabs will have a separate lane.

Villafuerte said that they need to do the expanded immunization program to prevent an outbreak of other diseases.

“Mahirap na magkaroon tayo ng outbreak ng measles nga naa pa gyud ta’y COVID mas dako ang problema nato (It will be difficult for us if we have measles outbreak and then we have Covid - that would be a big problem),” she said, adding, the barangay captains should also do an information drive on dengue prevention as it is also a potential health problem in this rainy season.

A typical two-story duplex unit of a government housing has a floor area of 60 square meters with a lot size of 80 square meters. It features 2 bedrooms, 2 toilet and baths, living area, dining area, kitchen area and open area for garage.

Those qualified for our government employees

housing program are permanent government employees and OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers).

“For OFWs you just present a certification from the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) that you are an OFW and you can apply with us,” Alcaraz said.

votes; Marissa Abella, 148, 333 votes; and Al Ryan Alejandre, 137, 896 votes.

For Third District are Alberto Ungab, 160,241 votes; Nonoy Al-ag, 137,185 votes; Doc Potpot Villafuerte, 126,921 votes; Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, 120,816 votes; Sweet Advincula, 120,335 votes; Cocoy Zo-

zobrado, 119,625 votes; Conde Baluran, 115,105 votes; and Enzo Villafuerte, 105,139 votes.

For the second legislative district, Vincent Garcia won with 155,702 votes; and for the third legislative district, reelectionist Isidro Ungab won with 180,286 votes. By Maya M. Padillo

reached USD8.53 billion, while imports hit USD8.25 billion in 2021.

Gepty added the DTI has been active in the past years in pursuing a “more stable economic partnership” with the US and the

EU.

son Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes added some countries have expressed interest to follow the Philippines’ move.

“Ito po kauna-unahan sa buong mundo dito tayo sa golden rice. In fact ‘yung ibang countries, ‘yung Ban-

gladesh gusto nang makipag, manghiram sa atin (This is the first-ever [production] in the whole world, for golden rice. In fact, other countries, like Bangladesh, want to borrow from us),” he said.

56kg division; Zeph Ngaya who takes on Vietnamese Huynh Thi Kim Vang in the women’s minus 65kg full contact finale; and Claudine Veloso who clashes with Amanda Loupatty of Indonesia in the women’s minus 52kg low kick division.

Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP) Secretary-General Atty. Wharton Chan believes the country can surpass the 2019 SEA Games haul of three gold medals, two silvers, and a bronze in this year’s regional showpiece.

lat Women’s Seni (Artistic) Tunggal single event in Vietnam,” acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement.

Padios ruled the Pencak Silat Women’s seni (artistic) tunggal single final at the Bac Tu Liem Gymnasium in Vietnam after edging Indonesia’s Puspa Arum Sari.

Padio scored 9.960 against Arum’s 9.945.

“Congratulations. We are proud of you,” Andanar

told Padio.

As of press time, the Philippines’ Kurash team also delivered one silver from Helen Aclopen and two bronze medals from Charlie Quelino and George Baclagan.

Andanar wished the Filipino athletes good luck as they participate in the 31st SEA Games.

“Good luck to the rest of our athletes in Team Philippines. Mabuhay ang atletang Pinoy sa Hanoi (Long live, Filipino athletes in Hanoi),” he said.

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With the FTA prospect with the EU, the Philippines and the EU started exploratory talks for a bilateral free trade deal in 2013 and had two rounds of negotiations in 2016 and in 2017.

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gion topped had the most number of newly reported cases with 285 cases (33%), followed by Region 4A or Calabarzon with 156 cases (18%), and then Central Luzon with 100 cases (11%).

Western Visayas came fourth with 65 cases (7%).

Davao and Central Visayas tied with 50 cases each.

All in all, these top regions comprised 81% of the total number of cases in January 2020.

Of the total reported cases, 99% (863) were infected through sexual contact: male-male sex, male-female sex, and sex with males and females.

The male-to-male registered the highest number: 592 cases.

Less than one percent (3) of the reported cases each have acquired HIV through sharing of infected needles and through mother-to-child transmission.

What is alarming is that 32% of the new cases involved young people.

About 283 of the reported cases were among those 15-24 years old and 96% (272) were male. Some 69 of these youths were in advance infection of HIV. Ninety-nine percent of the cases were infected through sexual contact.

This phenomenon is not confined to the Philippines alone.

“Majority of people newly diagnosed with HIV are among persons between 25 and 34 years old,” says Dr. Louie Mar Gangcuangco, a Filipino doctor who’s a tropical medicine specialist and senior preventive medicine resident at the Griffin Hospital-Yale School of Public Health in Connecticut, United States. “This is likely driven by the higher risk of sexual behavior within this age group. The accessibility of casual sex through online platforms is also likely contributing to the increased incidence of HIV in this age group.”

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health services were greatly affected. It’s not only those health problems related to heart, mental, and respiratory but even those infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. “It is without a doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected HIV work, both in the laboratory and the clinical setting,” admits Dr. Gangcuangco. “In several institutions globally, laboratory work slowed down, with a decreased number of researchers performing experiments and taking turns in the laboratory to ensure social distancing.”

At the time when the The Philippines’ kickboxing team also secured eight medals in the SEA Games, with Renalyn Dacquel assuring herself of at least a silver medal after pulling off a 3-0 victory over Thailand’s Konwara Boonpeng in their women’s full contact -48 kg class semifinal on Tuesday night.

The Philippines is eyeing to defend its overall title

pandemic was at its peak, many clinical staff had to focus on caring for COVID-19 patients. “Patients were encouraged to stay home for ‘non-urgent’ concerns, which unfortunately includes delaying HIV testing,” says Dr. Gangcuangco, adding that it was not unique only to HIV testing but also affected other health services such as routine cancer screening.

Davao City was not spared from such predicament. Dr. Jordana P. Ramiterre, head of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, told SunStar Davao that “the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic affected their office’s delivery programs and services for the prevention of HIV/ AIDS.” She added that treatment, care and support to people living with HIV were greatly suffered, especially during the enhanced community quarantine, where people were required to stay at home and movements were restricted.

Meanwhile, Jonathan is very much appreciative that he is still alive despite all the odds he experiences. When asked how he manages his HIV, he replies: “Stay healthy, positive thoughts, adhere to the medicines to suppress the virus, and continue to serve the people and the Lord.”

Even before Jonathan was tested positive, he was already an HIV/AIDS advocate. “It has been my plan to be an advocate to strengthen the program for HIV and AIDS in our community,” he says.

“Now, that I am part of the HIV+ community, it is my dream to organize the PLHIVs. I have committed and found myself into organizing all PLHIVs in my community right now to have a voice in ending stigma and discrimination,” he points out.

He is a teacher and he has experienced it. “What I have learned from my experiences was being open to my status and having a positive outlook in life is the key to gain support from the community and slowly ending the stigma and discrimination that every PLHIV face. I said to myself that having this situation and status is a blessing, not a curse,” he says.

Organizations like what Jonathan has organized are very important for PLHIV. “Internal peer support groups are very effective in encouraging every PLHIV to continue with their lives and to stay healthy,” he says.

“These groups can help them accept the fact that they are PLHIV with no shame.” (To be concluded) after ruling the 2019 edition with 149 gold, 117 silver, and 121 bronze medals.

The Philippine Sports Commission shelled out PHP232 million to finance the entire participation of the 908-strong Philippine delegation, including 641 athletes gearing up to win gold medals at stake in 38 of the 40 sports in the SEA Games. (PNA)

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

EDGEDAVAO

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PH Gilas squads start campaign H

ANOI – The country’s quest to sweep anew the four basketball gold medals at stake in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games begins Friday when the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 squads plunge into action at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium here.

Mark Dyke (white) drives strong to the hoop during the Rookie Draft Combine tournament on Thursday. PBA

The Limitless App team that captured the title in the PBA 3x3 First Conference will be tested starting at 11 a.m. (12 noon Manila time) by Cambodia, followed by games against Thailand at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. Manila time), and Indonesia at 4:20 p.m. (5:20 p.m. Manila time).

Making up the men’s national quartet are Brandon Rosser, Marvin Hayes, Jorey Napoles and Raymar Caduyac, who are out to duplicate the gold medal winning feat of CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Jason Perkins and Chris Newsome in the 2019 Philippine SEA Games.

The Gilas women’s squad faces Cambodia at 12 noon (1 p.m. Manila time), Vietnam at 3 p.m. (4 p.m.

Manila time), and Thailand at 5:20 p.m. (6:20 p.m. Manila time).

Back to defend the women’s 3x3 crown are Janine Pontejos, Clare Castro and Afril Bernardino, with Angelica Marie Surada being the newcomer in the team.

The Philippines swept the 3x3 tournament in 2019, with the men’s team beating Indonesia and the women’s squad outlasting Thailand in the finals.

But the two coaches who supervised the preparations said

retaining the gold medals will be more difficult.

“Nag-revamp lahat ng countries. They also have players from other countries. They do the same thing as the Philippines,” said men’s coach Willie Wilson.

“I think they are prepared to defend the crown. About the other teams, nag-prepare sila, especially Vietnam. I expect stiff competition from them,” said women’s coach Pat Aquino.

The preliminary round will continue on Saturday with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals, with the winners advancing to the gold medal match.

Action in regular basketball gets going on March 16, with the Gilas Pilipinas men’s and women’s squads primed up to retain the crowns they won in 2019, both against Thailand in the finals.

While the men’s crown is considered in the bag this early with pro players leading the chase, the women’s squad is expected to be hard-pressed to duplicate the victory posted by another national team in 2019, a breakthrough win that ended Thailand’s stranglehold on the crown.

Grizzlies maul Warriors to stay alive

L

OS ANGELES -- The Memphis Grizzlies stayed alive in the Western Conference playoffs with a a 134-95 drubbing of Golden State.

The Grizzlies, facing elimination and playing without injured All-Star guard Ja Morant, weren’t about to go out on their home floor.

They raced to a 38-28 first-quarter lead and never trailed as they cut the deficit in their best-of-seven Western Conference series to 3-2, sending it back to San Francisco on Friday.

“We just stuck to the game plan,” said Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr, one of three Memphis players with 21 points.

“We knew what was

at stake. We didn’t change anything though, we just calmed down, looked at the film, understood what we had to take away from the last game and just went out there and executed.”

Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones also scored 21 for the Grizzlies, who had seven players score in double figures in the wire-towire win.

Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 19 points.

Jonathan Kuminga added 17 and superstar Stephen Curry scored 14 on four-of-10 shooting for the Warriors, who coughed up 22 turnovers leading to 29 Grizzlies points.

“It was awful, embarrassing,” Thompson said.

“We all had the mindset we

were going to close it out tonight, but sometimes basketball is an inexact science and we played like a shell of ourselves.”

The Grizzlies outrebounded the Warriors 5537 and led them 24-5 in second-chance points.

Up by as many as 55 late in the third quarter, the Grizzlies were flirting with NBA history, with the largest margin ever in the playoffs -- 58 points.

It was a massive comedown for the Warriors, who played their second straight game with head coach Steve Kerr sidelined by Covid-19.

The third quarter hadn’t ended when stars Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green were pulled by acting coach Mike Brown.

B

champion in the men’s low kick 63.5kg class, battles Chaleamlap Santidongsakun of Thailand while Araos, also the defending champion, faces another Thai, Waraporn Jaiteang, in the women’s low kick minus 60kg class.

Also fighting for the

gold are Renalyn Dacquel who is up against hometown bet Thi Hang Nga Nguyen in the women’s minus 48kg full contact category; Gretel De Paz who will battle Indonesian Pieter Ariesta in the women’s full contact minus

“O fightin predic row’s

W medal tores,

Ba 71kg l the me

6 Pinoy kickboxers go for gold

AC NINH, Vietnam.

– Six Filipinos led by Jean Claude Saclag and Gina Iniong Araos vie for gold medals in the finals of the 31st Southeast Asian Games kickboxing tourney Friday at the Bac Ninh Gymnasium in Hanoi.

Saclag, the reigning

F6 PINOY, P10

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12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 25 • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

Sydney Tancontian-Sy with father Paolo

SYDNEY SILVER Davao’s Tancontian-Sy wins silver in SEAG

BY NEIL BRAVO

D

abawenya sambo star Sydney Sy Tancontian bagged the silver medal for kurash in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Wednesday in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Although she missed her target on winning the gold medal, Tancontian’s feat was an improvement of her bronze medal finish in the 2019 SEA games held in Manila for the women’s +87kg.

“Success for me is not the gold medal. Success for me is always to do your best and try to improve yourself. You fought well today Syd! Congratulations! Para Sa Bayan!,” her father-coach and Sambo president Paolo Tancontian said in a post on Facebook.

Tancontian earlier planned to go down in weight to compete in lower categories from her usual above 80-kilogram category.

The move to go down in weight to around 14 kilos is a good one for her as this will mean her body can still adjust and be able to win

more medals for the Philippines in international Sambo tournaments.

She, nevertheless, stuck with the +87kg class.

Tancontian, 21 won the bronze medal in the 2020 World Sambo Championship in Novi Sad, Serbia last November 8, 2020.

Meantime, Malacañang on Wednesday congratulated pencak silat athlete Francine Padios for delivering the Philippines’ first gold medal in the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“The Palace congratulates Mary Francine Padios for bringing pride and glory to the country by winning the first gold medal for the Philippines in Pencak Si-

FSYDNEY, P10