Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 76 | July 12, 2022 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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A hawker belonging to the Badjao tribe washes used shoes under his house at a coastal community in Brgy. 23-C Isla Verde, Davao City, which he will later peddle around the city. Edge Davao

PRO 11 chief supports NBI’s parallel probe on Mangacop murder case STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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Davao City First District Congressman Paolo Z. Duterte is welcomed by Chinese Consul General in Davao City, Li Lin, at the latter’s residence over the weekend. The two reaffirmed continuing friendship between the two nations and specifically identifies the program which will be supported by government of China in Davao City. Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Duterte

PRO 11 chief supports NBI’s parallel probe on Mangacop murder case By MAYA M. PADILLO

he family of Amierkhan Mangacop sees a spark of hope for a fair and impartial investigation following Police Regional Office (PRO-11) chief Brig. Gen. Benjamin Silo Jr.’s expression of support for the parallel probe being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation-Davao Region (NBI-Davao Region). “Full support po kami, we are always open sa mga needs ng NBI kung may kailangan po sa amin, full support po kami. In the end

iisa lang po ang hangad ng NBI at Philippine National Police [na] ipakita ang katotohanan sa naagrabiyadong partido,” Silo said in a state-

ment. In a statement issued last Saturday, PRO 11 stated that as part of its mandate the complaint for murder against Dr. Marvin Rey Andrew Roflo Pepino, PNP Non-Uniformed Personnel of PRO 11 and son of the late Police BGen Marvin Manuel Pepino, was already forwarded to the Office of the City Prosecutor as well as all the necessary documents and pieces of evidence gathered by San

Pulong’s office distributes laptops to 2 public schools

wo public schools received on Friday, July 8, laptops from the Office of First Congressional District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Z. Duterte. Rep. Duterte’s office distributed 14 laptops to Soledad R. Duterte National High School and 15 laptops to Governor Vicente Duterte National High School in Bangkal, this city. A total of 29 laptops

were provided by the young congressman, which will be used by the teachers to ensure that proper education will be given to the students of the two schools. Prof. Romeo Camilotes, principal of the Vicente Duterte National High School, thanked Rep. Duterte and his office as the laptops would be of great help for their teachers and students. Prof. Roderic Gam-

bong, principal of the Soledad Duterte National High School, also expressed his gratitude, in behalf of the school, to the lawmaker and his office for the educational support. The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier sought assistance from the Congress to provide public school teachers with laptops needed to support remote teaching.

Pedro Police Station. Meanwhile, the Family of Amierkhan Mangacop is grateful for the “content-neutral” statements issued by the PRO 11 chief. “We take notice of the statement of PRO-11. We thanked them for only making content-neutral statements unlike their previous statements favoring Dr. Marvin Pepino,” the Mangacop family said in a statement.

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Cong. Duterte meets Consul General Li Lin

modest dinner between First District Congressman of Davao City, Paolo Z. Duterte, and the Chinese Consul General in Davao City, Li Lin, reaffirms continuing friendship between the two nations and specifically identifies the program which will be supported by government of China in Davao City; On July 9, 2022, the top two officials in Davao City had met in the residence of the Consul General following the latter’s invitation to the former for a table blowout; It was during the same occasion that the Chinese Consul General presented to Hon. Duterte the program which the government of China will support under latter’s fresh term and the present government of the Republic of the Philippines. In the said meeting, the support for the livelihood programs for the Indigenous Peoples

(IPs) of Davao City was the highlight of the conversation; Congressman Duterte in turn manifested his full support to the program and in fact committed to Consul General Li Lin that he is willing to work hand in hand with the consular office, all for the purpose of alleviating socio-economic condition of our IP brothers and sisters in Davao City; Likewise, the meeting opened the opportunity for Hon. Duterte to express his gratitude and profound appreciation for the continuing support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China to the infrastructure projects undertaken by the Philippine government and to the many programs that revitalized Philippine economy; Clearly, this is another step to a proper direction and a very bright future for

ceived by the respondents on July 7, noting that “not all of the elements of the crime of libel or cyber libel are present in this case.” The resolution was signed by prosecutors Kayugenn Mato Kuda Jr., Richard Dale V. Escolano and Gilbert B. Bandiola. The respondents in the case include Brigada News FM Gensan news and public affairs anchors Abner Francisco, Carlo Dugaduga, radio station manager Ruel

Ampatin and the Brigada Mass Media Corporation, represented by its owner Elmer Catulpos. The case stemmed from a commentary in the March 30, 2022 episode of the high-rating morning program “Tira Brigada” of Brigada News FM Gensan, when the two anchors tackled an issue on alleged kickbacks in some local government projects. At that time, Bañas-

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GenSan prosecutors junk ex-solon’s P100-M libel case vs broadcasters

former lawmaker who lost in the May 9 elections failed in her bid to get a broadcast outfit here and three of its on-air personnel to pay 100-million pesos in libel and cyber libel damages. In a resolution, the City Prosecutor’s Office here trashed the complaint for libel and cyber libel filed by former South Cotabato Representative Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles, in a resolution dated June 29 but re-

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NEWS

Vice Mayor Mechor Quitain Jr. receives the Safety Seal Award from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection to the city government of Davao for its four office buildings. The Safety Seal Award is granted to an office building that complies with safety and health protocols against Covid-19. CIO

Davao City solon upbeat on govt’s macroeconomic, fiscal programs Siargao defers int’l surfing cup due to ‘Odette’ havoc

ith recovery efforts still ongoing six months after the Typhoon Odette devastation, the local government of General Luna in Siargao Island, has decided to defer the staging of its international surfing competition. General Luna, particularly the Cloud 9 surfing area, has been the venue of annual international surfing competitions in the past years, the last one being the 25th Siargao International Surfing Cup held in October 2019. The yearly international water sports competition was interrupted in 2020 and 2021 following the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. “There will be no international surfing competition this year,” General Luna Mayor Sol Matugas said in an interview Sunday (July 10), adding only local competitions will push through this year. Matugas said the decision is based on the prevailing conditions in the municipality after the onslaught of “Odette” in December last year. The typhoon completely destroyed the town’s famous boardwalk, the view deck, and the other facilities at the Cloud 9 surfing area. Matugas said the local

government is expediting the repair of essential facilities in preparation for the planned localized surfing cup later this year. She said the local government has already granted tax holidays to local businesses up to December this year to help them recover from the typhoon onslaught. “The tax holiday will run until December this year,” the mayor added. Based on the February 8, 2022 data from the Post Disaster Needs Assessment provided by the Department of Tourism in the Caraga Region (DOT-13), Typhoon Odette caused a total of over PHP1.6 billion in damages on the entire island. General Luna incurred the biggest damage, placed at over PHP1.2 billion. A total of 5,494 tourism workers were also affected by the typhoon on the whole island, 2,741 of whom are from General Luna. The international surfing competition, held every October, is considered a sought-after event as it regularly draws large numbers of domestic and foreign arrivals to the island. Data from the DOT-13 indicated that in October 2017, a total of 11,802 arrivals were recorded in Siargao consisting of 8,737 domestic

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

debt, which was bloated by the pandemic and soaring inflation rate. In a statement, Ungab

shared that this is seen as a sensible move to address the economic challenges the country and the whole world are currently facing. Ungab said that the pronouncements made by the economic team as regards to the newly updated medium-term macroeconomic assumptions, fiscal program, and growth targets for 2022 to 2028, while underscoring the administration’s priorities and fiscal strategy, including the domestic developments and external pressures, will serve as a guide not only to the gov-

ernment but to economists, businesses, and stakeholders in accelerating economic growth. Ungab also considered the Department of Finance’s (DOF) Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) very promising. The MTFF’s goals are reducing the deficit, promoting fiscal sustainability, and enabling robust economic growth, which all coincide with the objectives of the updated medium-term macroeconomic assumptions and fiscal program, such as

“Last Wednesday isa sa akong gina-raise is hopefully all of the participants are vaccinated. We will still tackle that. Hopefully, dili pa man nato masulti na mandated but encouraging all of the participants to be vaccinated,” Alejandre said. Alejandre said it’s all systems go for the celebration of this year’s Kadayawan sa Davao. “We will meet every Wednesday with the executive committee and this

week we will meet all the organizers. Gina-encourage all participants should be vaccinated ug sa mga kabatan-onan na naay part sa activities. As the days go on amoang i-present unsa tong mga protocols but again ang basic kay ang wearing of face mask gyud maging part sa design sa ilahang costumes,” he said. Last week, Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, reported that

due to the rising daily Covid-19 cases, the positivity rate in Davao City has already exceeded the five percent positivity rate, which hit 6.3 percent on July 6, 2022. Schlosser also said that from June 26, 2022 to July 2, 2022 the four Covid-19 deaths reported included three unvaccinated patients and one vaccinated but without a booster dose. Meanwhile, Mayor Se-

avao City Third District Representative Isidro Ungab expressed optimism on the government’s macroeconomic and fiscal programs following the review and evaluation done by the economic team of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the government’s medium-term macroeconomic assumptions and fiscal program and growth targets for FY 2022 to 2028. The economic review followed as Marcos starts his six-year term amid challenges including government

FDAVAO, P10

Kadayawan participants asked to get vaccinated

articipants for the activities of the upcoming Kadayawan sa Davao are encouraged to get vaccinated as Covid-19 cases in Davao City are seen to be on the rise. Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, spokesperson for the Kadayawan sa Davao 2022, said in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday that aside from wearing face mask the participants should be vaccinated.

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Pedestrians walk by a parked delivery vehicle with pile of empty water containers in J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City on Monday. Water refilling business is one of thriving sectors in Davao City due to the constant water interruptions that are being experienced in some parts of the city. Edge Davao

Agri dept. pushes for cropping calendar amid tomato wastage P resident Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has sought the cooperation of the private sector to provide support to the farmers. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for a cropping calendar across the country, in a bid to ensure that there is no wastage as farmers have been throwing out produce due to oversupply. According to Agriculture Undersecretary for Consumer and Political Affairs Kristine Evangelista, a cropping calendar will prevent an oversupply as farmers will know which produce to plant

and where. “If we have a cropping calendar, we can already look for buyers bago pa po mag-harvest ang ating mga magsasaka [even before our farmers harvest],” she said. “At the same time, we can also properly guide ‘yung ating magsasaka [our farmers],” she added. This comes after a report that tomatoes were thrown out by a farmer in Bukidnon due to the over-

through the Facebook page of the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF), former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said uncertainties on developments around the globe are causing upticks in prices

supply in the area. Prices have also gone down given the lack of buyers. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that tomato production already declined by 6.1% to 90,000 metric tons in the first quarter of the year from 95,870 metric tons in the same quarter last year. Moving forward, the DA said it is prepared to provide grants for cooperatives to acquire the proper facilities to process agricultural produce and turn them into such products as sun-dried tomatoes, tomato sauce, or tomato juice.

Ex-BSP official sees 5.5% average inflation in 2022 former central banker projected the domestic inflation rate for this and next year to reach 5.5 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively, citing volatilities in oil prices, among others. At a forum streamed

of commodities and have resulted in second-round effects in the country. “I think it (average inflation) can even be more than the 5 percent average for 2022 and the 4.2 percent for 2023. It could

FEX-BSP, P10

“‘Pag sinabi nila na puwedeng gawing [If they say that it can be made into] sun-dried tomatoes, ‘di ba [right], from our point of view, so how do we do it?” Evangelista said. “We have to give them the facility, to the cooperative, para makagawa sila ng [so they can process] sun-dried tomato. We have to make sure that marunong sila gumawa [they know who to make] sun-dried tomato,” she continued. The DA said cooperatives can coordinate with regional field offices of the agency to avail of the grants.

Big-time rollback of fuel prices takes effect today

ump prices of petroleum products will be rolled back today, marking the second straight week of price cuts, fuel companies said. In separate advisories, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Seaoil Philippines Inc. said they will cut prices per liter of gasoline by P5.70, diesel by P6.10, and kerosene by P6.30. Cleanfuel and Petro Gazz will implement the

same changes, excluding kerosene which they do not carry. The changes will take effect at 6 a.m. today, July 12, for all the firms except for Cleanfuel which will adjust prices at 8:01 a.m. the same day. The latest price rollback is the biggest so far this year, amid the continuous uptrend of global prices. Department of Ener-

used to operate six daily flights to/from Hong Kong. Currently, services to Hong Kong are only once daily. “We look forward to expanding our operations to and from Hong Kong as the situation improves and

as restrictions ease,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) over the weekend. Hong Kong authorities recently announced the

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PAL eyes expansion of Hong Kong services

lag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is looking at expanding its services to and from Hong Kong as the special administrative region eases its Covid-19 restrictions. Pre-pandemic, PAL

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ECONOMY

Social Security System (SSS) Davao account officer Greta Fe Quayle discusses about the agency’s flexible payment schedule for farmers and fisher folks and other programs during this week’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao. Edge Davao

46% of Pinoys believe economy will improve in ‘23: SWS survey F orty six percent of Filipino adults are optimistic that the economy will imKonsultaMD, HealthNow, AIDE to merge prove in the next 12 months, according into one health service ‘superapp’: Globe to the first quarter Social Weather Survey latforms KonsultaMD, of an integrated healthHealthNow and AIDE care ecosystem,’’ AC Health by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

will be consolidated into a single superapp to become a one-stop-shop for health services, Globe Telecom said Monday. Globe’s corporate venture builder Globe Capital Venture Holdings Inc (917Ventures), Ayala’s healthcare arm Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc (AC Health) through its subsidiary Vigos Ventures In and Salud Interactive S.A. DE C.V. have agreed to the reorganization of the 3 apps in one superapp, Globe told the stock exchange. KonsultaMD serves teleconsultations, HealthNow fulfills medicine deliveries while AIDE offers laboratory tests and home care. The resulting platform will be the new KonsultaMD superapp which is expected to go live in the first quarter of 2023, the company said. “By combining the strengths of each of the three entities, I am excited to see the new KonsultaMD support AC Health’s vision

president and CEO Paolo Borromeo said. “This combined digital team, supplemented by the network of services from AC Health, allows us all to be in a better position to provide much-needed access to quality healthcare services and medicines across the country, accelerating our goal of touching the lives of 1 in 5 Filipinos by 2030,” Borromeo added. 917Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat said the move is in line with their ambition of democratizing health services by making it more accessible and affordable to Filipinos. “Consultations are at the top of the funnel. Consultations generate prescriptions which in turn generate lab requests. Now we can fulfill all of these,” said Cholo Tagaytay, who would be the CEO of the consolidated entity. Adoption of online and app-based healthcare services have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some 28 percent said the economy would remain the same while 6 percent believe it would worsen, the quarterly nationwide survey conducted with 1,440 adults from April 19 to 27 showed. The recent survey also revealed that 44 percent of adult Filipinos said their

quality of life will improve in the next 12 months, 39 percent said it would be the same, while 4 percent believe it could worsen. Thirteen percent did not give an answer. Meanwhile, some 43 percent of Filipino families rated themselves as poor, 34 percent as bor-

derline poor and 23 percent rated themselves as not poor, the April survey showed. SWS said the Net Economic Optimism score, or the percent of economic optimists minus the percent of economic pessimists, to +40, which is classified as “excellent” based on the SWS scale. However, the recent +40 score is 4 points below the +44 in December 2021, SWS said. The net economic optimism is highest in Lu-

zon areas outside Metro Manila, followed by Metro Manila, Mindanao and the Visayas, SWS data showed. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier said he was optimistic that the government could reduce the poverty level into single digit within the term of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. Gains in poverty reduction were tempered by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to businesses and salaries.

cially during challenging times, when the US Federal Reserve is likely to raise interest rates by the end of the month, said ING Bank senior economist Nicholas Mapa. “Hopefully with the rate hike the BSP is planning to roll out, hopefully, they come fast and furious, they

come hard and heavy, 50 [basis points] in the next one and followed up by another 50 [bps],” Mapa told ANC. “There’s always, I guess when you’re hiking, there’s always a virtue of getting them out of the way, front-loading hikes because of the policy lags

for any adjustments that you have. It takes a while before it happens so might as well front-load your adjustments,” he added. The central bank has raised the key policy rate twice this year for a cumulative 50 basis points to 2.50 percent.

Economist: Best for BSP to front-load rate hikes

ront-loading rate hikes are better than lagging especially in an environment with elevated inflation and a weak peso, an economist said Monday. Monetary policy adjustments take time to be absorbed by the market and hiking rates sooner could benefit the market espe-

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 76 • TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2022

On the parallel probe conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation-Davao Region (NBIDavao Region) on the Mangacop killing:

Full support po kami, we are always open sa mga needs ng NBI kung may kailangan po sa amin, full support po kami. In the end iisa lang po ang hangad ng NBI at Philippine National Police [na] ipakita ang katotohanan sa naagrabiyadong partido.”

BRIG. GEN. BENJAMIN SILO JR.

Police Regional Office (PRO-11) director

EDGEDAVAO

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ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

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EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

THE TRUTH ABOUT CHOCOLATES It seems unbelievable that the bitter seeds of a pod can be turned into a delectable chocolate. The history of chocolate started 4,000 years ago in ancient Mesoamerica (now known as Mexico). This was where cacao plants were first cultivated. The Olmec, one of the earliest civilizations in Latin America, drank their chocolate during rituals and used it as medicine. It was explorer Hernan Cortes who brought chocolate to Spain in 1528. Served as a drink, Spanish chocolate was mixed with sugar and honey to sweeten the naturally bitter taste. In 1828, the invention of the chocolate press revolutionized chocolate making. An innovative device developed by Dutch chemist Coenraad Johannes van Houten was able to squeeze cocoa butter from roasted cacao beans, leaving a fine cacao powder behind. The powder was mixed with water and poured into a mould, where it solidified into an edible bar of chocolate. This innovation opened the door for chocolate to be mass-produced. During the 19th century, chocolate had come a long way but it was still hard and difficult to chew. A Swiss chocolatier

named Rudolf Lindt invented a conch machine which mixed and aerated chocolate “giving it a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that blended well with other ingredients.” Today, chocolate is a billion-dollar business. “Most modern chocolate is highly-refined and mass-produced, although some chocolatiers still make their chocolate creations by hand and keep the ingredients as pure as possible,” history.com reports. “Chocolate is available to drink, but is more often enjoyed as an edible confection or in desserts and baked goods.” What most people don’t know is that chocolate is good for your health. In fact, eating dark chocolate every day for 10 years could reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes in some high-risk patients. A team of researchers from Australia used a mathematical model to predict the long-term health impact of daily dark chocolate consumption in 2,013 people with a condition known as metabolic syndrome, which puts them at high risk of heart disease. The study was published in the British Medical Journal. The researchers, however, stressed the protective effects have only

been shown for dark chocolate containing at least 60 to 70 percent cocoa – not for milk or white chocolate. Cacao, from which chocolate comes from, cannot be grown anywhere else in the world but only in those areas within the so-called “cocoa belt.” A band between 10 to 20 degrees north and south of the equator, it is the ideal location where cacao grows best. This band covers Central and South America, West Africa, and Southeast Asia. The good thing is that the Philippines is located in the “cocoa belt.” “Our country lands in this band, together with our neighbor, Indonesia,” says the Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap. Most of the cacao trees are grown mostly in Mindanao as it has two advantages: good rainfall and good soil. “But cacao would grow anywhere in the country,” says Jethro P. Adang, the director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. He adds that other areas where cacao is suited for planting are Quezon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Palawan. Ninety percent of the total cacao production in the country is mostly sourced from Mindanao, according to the data from the

agriculture department’s High Value Commercial Crops Development Program. The Davao Region contributes about 80% of the total production. Cacao has been cultivated since the 17th century when Spanish mariner Pedro Bravo de Lagunas planted the crop in San Jose, Batangas. Since then, cacao growing flourished in different parts of the country. In the 1950s, commercial cacao farms were established and cocoa beans production expanded into an industry in the following decade as processing facilities were put up by a group of Filipino investors. The industry started to take-off in the mid1980s as more investments were poured on commercial farms and on grinding facilities. In Mindanao, more and more farmers are now planting cacao in their farms. The profitability of cacao production has convinced Ramon T. Ubando, a handicapped farmer from Opao in Dapitan City, to go into cacao farming. Because of a severe vascular disease he had since childhood, the middle of his right hip and knee in his right leg had to be amputated. When he was in his 40s, he became interested in farming. He raised some livestock in his backyard to make both ends meet. His

farm was augmented by his inquisitive efforts of seeking crops and technologies that alleviates the economic status of his family. That was how Ubando discovered cacao growing; thanks to a six-month training conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform. Equipped with technical skills and enthusiasm, he started a 100-hill cacao budwood garden in one-fourth of a hectare in his farm. He propagated and maintained five different cacao clones. “Cacao puts cash into my empty pocket,” he pointed out. The Davao region is touted to be the Cacao Capital of the Philippines with Davao City as Chocolate Capital. Davao City’s Malagos, Calinan District is where the famed 65% Malagos Dark Chocolate Bar comes from. Unfortunately, these chocolates produced in Davao are still not very popular among local consumers. “It is one of the objectives of our cacao and chocolate events here in the city, to push for local Dabawenyos to be more aware of how yummy and delicious our local chocolates are made from the Davao cacao beans,” EDGE Davao quoted Wit Holganza, a member of Cacao Industry Council, as saying.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

WARTIME SAGA OF TWO CATHOLICS (2) In ‘American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur, 1880-1964 (1978), a biography of Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur by William Manchester, Dr. Emigdio Cruz, President Manuel L. Quezon’s physician, was able to penetrate Manila and contacted Gen. Roxas in the third quarter of 1943 of the plan to fly him to the U.S. but expressed no interest. A year later, another mission was sent to contact the general but was exposed, which supposedly resulted in the beheading of those involved. Lt. Col. Nobuhiko Jimbo was later reassigned to China where he was captured by the forces of Gen. Chiang Kai-shek, the founder of Taiwan, and became a prisoner of war in Tsinan, Shantung Province, North China. He was sentenced to death but was spared from execution by his

friend, Gen Roxas, who interceded for his freedom. When the war ended, Roxas, now the president of the republic, learned from the wife of Lt. Col. Nobuhiko Jimbo of her husband’s predicament. On hearing the news, he promptly wrote Gen. Chiang Kai-shek in Nanking, China, and asked the leader of free Lt. Col. Jimbo through an amnesty. The letter, dated August 26, 1946, runs in part: “I have long known of your deep interest in the Philippines, an interest which I deeply appreciate as stemming from your concern for the advancement of freedom and human dignity in this part of the world… The purpose of this personal letter is to place before you certain circumstances involving a Japanese army officer now in the custody of your Government,

an officer of minor importance in the general scheme of things but one who played an important role in my own experiences of the recent war. “[Lt. Col.] Nobuhiko Jimbo is being held… in a prison in Tsinan, Shantung Province, China, as a suspected war criminal. I hasten to say that I know nothing of his activities in China, nor of the evidence against him. I do not, of course, wish to raise any questions regarding his guilt or innocence based on his activities in any theatre other than in the Philippines. “I should like to submit, however, that Colonel Jimbo is responsible for my being alive today. He was known in the Philippines as one of the few Japanese officers with a genuine sympathy for our plight, and as one of those who did what he

could, within the limits of his official station, to alleviate the brutal savagery of his superiors and subordinates. On one occasion he risked his life by disobeying an order issued for my execution, and made a successful appeal at a later time for the rescinding of the execution order. This action was not based especially on a personal esteem for me, although he had that, too, but on a repugnance for the senseless cruelty and murder madness which possessed his commanders and associates. He was, of my acquaintance, the most humane of the Japanese invaders. “If there is any proper way in which you could give countenance to these representations on his behalf, I would feel a great load taken off my mind. I know that it is, in an official sense,

impolitic for me to make these statements on behalf of Colonel Jimbo, but my conscience would not permit me to refrain from doing what I can do to bring these circumstances to the attention of appropriate officials of your government. “Permit me, Your Excellency, to express sentiments of friendship and admiration for you and your countrymen.” In 1947, Lt. Col. Jimbo was released from prison, escorted to the Philippines, and returned to his homeland. He personally thanked the President for the intercession; he revisited him in Malacañang. Roxas honored him with a Knight of Rizal award. Back home, he was given the title Sir Nobuhiko after his election as vice president of the Order of Knights of Rizal, Tokyo Chapter.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

Cheers to the

sweetness you can trust

The Stevia Company Launches Healthy and Delicious Drinks Healthy need not be bitter – or bland. Now, you can enjoy your faves and be healthy at the same time . . . a most delightful treat to your palate! Filipino-owned Glorious Industrial & Development Corporation (GIDC), also known The Stevia Company,

recently launched a delish lineup of naturally-sweetened and healthy beverages. With more than 19 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, they truly know what the consumers want. And adopt to the need they did. Cheers to GIDC, we now have a plethora of reasons to enjoy our favorite drinks without guilt. The company has more than 30-families managed the Stevia Farm and according to Ms. Au De Leon, president and CEO of GIDC, The Stevia Company, Stevia plant maturity to harvest is 4months and 7 months-this is full bloom and ready to pick and harvest by their inhouse employees provided with staff house accommodation. The company has a total combined of 200 employees. Under its Glorious brand, the company re-introduced a variety of mixes that we, Filipinos, already love -- Glorious 3in1 Premi-

um Coffee and Glorious Iced Tea Mixes, and the Sweet & Fit Stevia Tea. In 2009, the Sweet & Fit Stevia was certified by the FDA and GIDC was recognized as the Philippine’s 1st Stevia Company. Not only do they taste good; they are also good for the body! Every cup of Glorious beverage is sweetened with Stevia, a healthy alternative to sugar. “By making premium and healthy products accessible to Filipinos, GIDC, Stevia Company is helping everyone make better choices for their health,” says Ms. Au De Leon, president and CEO of GIDC, The Stevia Company. Did you know that in a teaspoon of Stevia is equivalent to six teaspoons of sugar. Thus, the perfect choice for those who are conscious about their sugar intake but dislike the taste of chemical-based sugar substitutes. In the world over, Stevia is known as a natural sweetener derived from the leaves

of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is 300 times sweeter than sugar, but it has zero calories and does not cause spikes in blood sugar levels. Further, it does not have any aftertaste or carries potential health risks. Indeed, the products are safe for weight watchers, people with heart conditions and reduces the risk of Diabetes. “The company continue research especially those diabetic people who can have their own sweet with-

From L-R Jojo Macabanti-Sales Manager,Michelle Midiana-R&D Manager,Maura De Leon-CEO/President, Michelle Rose De Leon-Operations Director and sitting in front Cecille Miciano-Marketing Manager

PCSO WELCOMES HON. JUNIE E. CUA AS NEWLY APPOINTED CHAIRPERSON Mandaluyong City. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) welcomes the appointment of the former Congressman and Governor of Quirino Province as the new Chairman of the agency.

Chairperson Cua took his Oath of Office before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 5, 2022, at the Malacanang Palace together with the other newly appointed officials who were tapped to lead various agen-

cies. Chairperson Cua served as Congressman from19871998, 2001-2010, 20192022 and became the governor of Quirino Province from 2010-1019. He is married to former Congresswoman Ma.

Angela E. Cua and a father to Hon. Dakila ‘Dax’ Carlo E. Cua, the incumbent Governor of the province of Quirino. The entire PCSO workforce is looking forward to work under the new leadership of Chairman Cua.

out side-effect and through their product this will help more improve the health of the sick people.” explained by Ms Au De Leon,president and CEO of GIDC, The Stevia Company. Coffee lover? The Glorious Premium 3in1 Coffee Mix is a delicious coffee blend sweetened with Sweet & Fit Stevia is recommended for people with sugar intake related concerns, weight watchers, and other health-conscious individuals. Sweet & Fit Stevia has zero calories, zero fat, zero sodium, zero carbohydrates and zero cholesterol. Glorious does not only have the 3in1 coffee variant, it also has the 4-in1 Malunggay-based coffee, 5in1 Coffee Mix with Brown Rice, and the 7in1 Coffee Mix with Malunggay, Mangosteen, Calcium, Goto Kola, and sweetened with Sweet & Fit Stevia. Sweet tea enthusiast? Individuals with sugar-related concern may now enjoy their favorite fruit teas with Glorious Iced Tea Mixes that comes in Red Berries, Lemon & Cucumber flavors; or make other beverages like milk teas and shakes with Sweet & Fit Stevia Tea that they may drink hot or cold or topped with nondairy milk or fresh fruits for

a healthy pick-me-up. Not only is GIDC big on their drinks but they also has a corporate social responsibility (CSR) that exceeds many boundaries. “We support our local farmers and workers because all of our products are grown and manufactured here. The market’s continued support sends their children to school and improves the quality of their lives,” adds Ms. De Leon. Early this year, the Company has 30 scholars and more than 10 scholars among them who graduated. GIDC, The Stevia Company also notes that switching to Stevia will help cushion the effects of the impending sugar shortage in the Philippine market. Consumers can opt to sweeten their beverages with Sweet & Fit Stevia because they need very little to achieve the desired sweetness. During the June 28, 2022 press launching, GIDC also announced that, in the coming days, they will be launching their new logo. Glorious products are available in leading supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide. For more information, visit www.glorious.com.ph and www.sweetandfitstevia.com.

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ENVIRONMENT

PREVENTING Forest fires is most common in tropical countries (WHO).

FOREST FIRES By HENRYLITO D. TACIO BFP-CAR and WHO

ome years back, the Philippine Congress released a study that said about 123,000 hectares of the country’s forest cover are lost every year. Unless reforestation is started, the study further stated, there would be no forest left in the country by 2036 – that’s exactly 15 years from now.

Then President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his state of the nation address (SONA) in 2011, stated that

most politicians use one possible solution – that of tree planting – as a photo opportunity. “They plant

trees, but they do not ensure that the trees will remain standing after they leave,” he admitted. When he was still the head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Michael Defensor admitted that “only 30% of reforestation projects succeeded.” In a Subic meeting of local executives, he told them: “People hardly recognize

Forest fires is one of the causes of denudation in the country (BFP-CAR)

the economic benefits from protecting the environment. Most sabotaged the program.” The bluntness seemed to echo an earlier study of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, entitled Sustainable Forest Management, which stated, “Most of the (Philippines’) once rich forest are gone. Forest recovery, through natural and artificial means, never coped with the destruction rate.” There are several reasons why trees are cut extensively: logging (both legal and illegal), kaingin farming (slash-and-burn agriculture) and mining. Volcanic eruptions have also devastated some of the country’s tropical forests. Ditto for typhoons, which have destroyed considerable hectares of forest areas. And there’s forest fires. From 1978 to 1996, forest fires in the Philippines destroyed approximately 304,345 hectares or an average of 16,000 hectares per year. From 1992 to 1996 alone, fire damage was estimated at P465 million. During the pandemic, forest fire incidents went

A second-growth forest somewhere in Marilog district (Tacio).

down: from 1,282 in 2019 to 429 in 2020. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) attributed the decrease to lockdown measures. “Forest fires are mostly fueled by human activities,” said then DENR Acting Secretary Jim Sampula in a statement, adding that incidents of man-made forest fires increase during the dry season. Man-made forest fire is usually an offshoot of swidden agriculture (slash-andburn farming or kaingin), smoking of honeycombs to gather honey, indiscriminate throwing of cigarette butts, unattended burning of garbage, campers who are unable to control the fire from their food burners, and other forms of activities that involve fire. In 2020, wildfire destroyed about 1,000 hectares of pine forest near Mount Pulag in Benguet, according to a Philippine Star news report. The fire commenced in the jungles straddling the towns of Kabayan and Bokod. “The native pine forests in Cordillera Administrative Region are fire-prone due to the frequent fires recorded in the past,” said

the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). “Uncontrolled fires result in enormous flames for weeks due to the rough hilly terrain and lack of applicable equipment and skilled personnel,” said PCAARDD, a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Forest fires derail the country’s reforestation efforts. In 2020, 389 of the 429 forest fires happened in plantation sites under the Expanded National Greening Program (ENGP), covering 7,830 hectares valued at P119.3 million. In response to these forest fires, the PCAARRD has developed science- and technology-based tools to help forest managers and other stakeholders in predicting the probability of fire occurrence. “The fire behavior model simulates and predicts fire movements,” said the PCAARRD Information Bulletin No. 25. The tools are integrated with geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning system (GPS), and

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These developments are related to the shooting incident on July 2, 2022, wherein Pepino shot Mangacop at the parking area of Lugar Bar in J. Camus Extension, Brgy. 9-A, Davao City in Davao City. Meanwhile, the Mangacop Family also expressed their gratitude to NBI 11 director Jonathan Balite, and the entire NBI Davao, for recognizing the family’s right to a fair, impartial, unbiased investigation. “This development is one step closer to attaining justice for Amierkhan Mangacop,” it said.

The officials of NBI 11 vowed to dig deeper and conduct a thorough parallel investigation in the case of Mangacop after the City Prosecutor’s Office issued an order requiring all investigative units to submit additional pieces of evidence. The NBI 11 has seven remaining days to conduct its own investigation and submit findings and additional evidence. The complaint for murder against Pepino was filed by police authorities on July 4, 2022, and the Prosecutor has 15 days to resolve the investigation.

the two nations. The First Congressional District of Davao City through Representative Paolo Z. Duterte will ensure that the

program will be properly managed so as to guarantee full support to all our Indigenous Peoples in Davao City.

Nograles was in the thick of her campaign to become General Santos City mayor, a post also being sought then by Catulpos and now mayor Lorelie Pacquiao and two other candidates. In her complaint, BañasNograles, then 1st district Representative of South Cotabato, alleged that Dugaduga claimed during the radio program that Banas was notorious in asking for payola from contractors, that she would do the same if elected as mayor and that her husband also asks for payola. The prosecutors noted that Bañas-Nograles was certain she was the same person referred to by Dugaduga as she is the only Banas running for mayor. The complainant alleged that what Dugagduga said was “false and baseless and the same caused dishonor and discredit to her reputation.” In their affidavit, the respondents claimed that “the statements are too general to be defamatory.” They also said they were charged separately “which violates their right against double jeopardy,” that the contents of a compact disc submitted by the complainant was obtained without court warrant, and that the moral damages claimed is “not supported with evidences.” The respondents also argued that “for an imputation to be libelous, it must have four elements – it must be defamatory, it must be malicious, it must be given publicly, and the victim must be identifiable.” All these elements are not present in the case, the respondents noted. “Absent one of these elements, a case of libel will not pros-

per,” they pointed out. Bañas-Nograles filed the case before the prosecutors’ office on June 10, about a month after the May 9 elections. Catulpos said he was surprised to learn that Bañas-Nograles sued them for P100-million, at a time when he and Pacquiao, the winner in the mayoralty race, were already talking about how they can collaborate to bring better opportunities for the city and its residents. Catulpos and BañasNograles lost to Pacquiao in the mayoralty race in May. Catulpos, a former broadcast reporter, said in Cebuano that the dismissal of the case is a victory of freedom-loving people, of the listeners of Brigada who believe in freedom of the press. He stressed that the Brigada anchors and reporters were only doing their job as journalists. “Is it destructive to make sure the interests of the people are protected from corruption by those in power?” asked Catulpos, who owns a network of broadcast stations in the country. “This is a vindication for all the lies and unfounded claims they have thrown against us,” Ampatin said, adding this is one of the proofs that they are not lying about the issues they are discussing. Three months earlier, a complaint for seven counts of cyber libel filed against Rappler by followers of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, were dismissed by the City Prosecutor’s Office in General Santos City for lack of probable cause. (Rommel G. Rebollido / MindaNews)

and 3,065 foreign visitors. The number increased to 16,914 in October 2018 with 11,203 domestic and 5,684 foreign arrivals. During the staging of the 25th Siargao International Surfing Cup held in October 2019, the number of arrivals swelled to 34,770 with 25,079 domestic and 9,691 foreign visits.

Domestic and foreign arrivals completely stopped in the first two years of the pandemic, although the numbers are on the rise since late last year. Surigao del Norte First District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II remains optimistic about the return of the international surfing event on the island. (PNA)

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the creation of more quality jobs, reducing poverty incidence, and achieving inclusive and resilient growth within the term of the President until 2028. He also urged his fellow lawmakers to support the President’s economic and fiscal agenda. “I believe this will be our country’s pivotal point towards the trajectory of resilient economic recovery. This Medium-Term

Fiscal Framework and the government’s updated medium-term macroeconomic assumptions and fiscal program are what we need to guide us during these difficult times. I fully agree with the PBBM administration that this is a good game plan in facing the challenges wrought by the pandemic, the ongoing geopolitical conflicts, and the high inflation rate, among others,” it said.

bastian “Baste” Duterte reminded Dabawenyos to always comply with the minimum public health standards for everyone’s safety in celebrating this year’s “Kadayawan sa Davao.” “The Kadayawan festival remains to be a symbolic way of celebrating life, bountiful harvest, and diversity among our peo-

ple. As we bring back the customary activities of our face-to-face festival we may find this time to fully enjoy its essence and continue to recognize and promote the rich culture of Davao City. This while not forgetting to comply with the minimum health standards for everyone’s safety,” the mayor said. By Maya M. Padillo

gy-Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad last week said motorists may expect a big-time price rollback in the pump prices of petroleum products this week. The Energy official cited the following reasons for the price adjustments: • China Shanghai lockdown; • Interest hikes by vari-

ous countries; and • Threat of recession which could cause demand destruction Data from the Department of Energy show that year-to-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P30.00 per liter for gasoline, P42.90 per liter for diesel, and P36.35 per liter for kerosene as of July 5, 2022.

reach probably 5.5 (percent) for 2022 and maybe four-and-a-half for 2023,” he said referring to the inflation projections of the central bank until next year. As of the first six months of this year, the average rate of price increases stood at

4.4 percent, higher than the government’s 2-4 percent target band until 2023. The monthly inflation rate surpassed the government target range last April when it accelerated to 4.9 percent from the previous month’s 4 percent.

scrapping of flight ban on airlines that have brought persons infected with the coronavirus. It still requires inbound passengers to undergo hotel quarantine for seven days. A shorter quarantine period is being studied by the Hong Kong government, according to reports. “The strong clamor

among stakeholders for an increase in flight frequency is expected,” Villaluna said. PAL’s Regional Head for Greater China Joe Kwok recently met with industry stakeholders in Hong Kong to provide an overview of PAL developments and recovery efforts, Villaluna said.

The peso, which briefly hit P56 last week, is seen to weaken further partly due to the expected US Fed hike, Mapa said. Although Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla has

said the BSP is prepared to hike its benchmark rate by another 50 basis points on Aug. 18, that is still 3 weeks later than the US Fed’s hike set to be announced by the end of the month, Mapa said.

ity may be just the kind of style that could force Vargas out of his comfort zone. There are also fights with guys like Leo Santa Cruz, Robeisy Ramirez, Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara, all good matchups for him. Gary Russel is still in the mix. The winner of Isaac Dogboe vs. Joet Gonzalez. But without the added weight cut of getting down to 122, I think Vargas looks like a bigger, stronger, more durable version of

his 122 lb self. And that is a problem for ANYBODY at featherweight, and maybe even 130. Also on the undercard, lightweight Frank Martin (16-0, 12 ko) stopped Jackson Marinez (19-3, 7 ko) in the 10th and final round of a very competitive matchup. Martin has some defensive holes, but looks like a good young fighter with some nice offensive pieces and the right people around him.

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PREVENTING... FROM9

Web innovations. “These interactive disaster and hazard management models were programmed for easy information dissemination and will allow a location-specific application,” PCCAARRD explained PCAARRD. “Using this web-enabled hazard decision support system, various maps – which can be resized onscreen and point-clicked with their corresponding attributes and statistics – can be accessed and generated,” it added. Negative impacts and destruction brought by uncontrolled forest fires are unlimited. As such, preventing forest fires is better than any fire control measure. “Fire prediction is an important prevention measure,” PCAARRD said. The PCAARRD-funded program enabled researchers to develop a forest fire hazard and behavior forecasting and a risk reduction system using GIS. Through the project, fire hazard maps were developed. The maps used the prediction equation, which combines a number of critical factors that significantly influence forest fires. These are: vegetation or land cover; proximity to farms; distance to roads; slope; and aspect. Vegetation refers to the vegetative cover or current land use pattern which determines the kind, quantity, and quality of fuels present on site. Fuels present, as an element of the fire triangle, determine fire risks. “An element of the fire triangle is a model that shows the relationship between the essential elements of fire,” the information bulletin explained. Proximity to farms and roads is a factor in the prediction equation due to previous fire incidents in farms and careless passers-by and pranksters throwing lighting materials like lighted cigarettes. The area’s slope, meanwhile, enhances burning since “the steeper slope promotes rapid spread of fire upslope.” The aspect refers to the horizontal direction where the mountain slope faces. “The aspect is also considered because drying of fuels is more prevalent along east-west slopes than

north-south facing slopes,” the PCAARRD publication informed. According to PCAARRD, highly-vulnerable, vulnerable, and less-vulnerable sites are identified on the calibrated maps. “Through these fire hazard maps, forest managers and other stakeholders will be properly guided on fire risks, especially during fire season (summer months),” it said. Forest managers include the forest protection unit of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units. The PCAARRD publication suggests that practices causing fire ignition (like slash and re-growth of grass for grazing purposes) should not be allowed during the fire season in places adjacent to high-risk areas. Proper local ordinances and their strict implementation can help lessen the chances of fire. “If coupled with appropriate information, education and communication strategies and replicated in other areas, these hazard maps will hopefully make every barangay (village) ready and responsive to forest fires,” the PCAARRD publication concluded. At the Cordillera Administrative Region, the PCAARRD is funding a project that protects watersheds against forest fires through greenbelt establishment using maguey (Agave cantala). The three-year project, now in its second year, is on track with its workplan: it has established maguey nurseries producing 11,264 suckers/bulbils. It had also trained 14 local government officials and 58 farmers on climate change adaptation and greenbelt establishment. One good news is that two seed production areas had been protected from forest fires through planting of maguey in 2.56-kilometer greenbelts in Bokod and Tublay. “Seed production areas are targets for forest fire protection since they serve as seed sources for the production of quality planting materials for reforestation (in the region),” the PCAARRD said.

Reyes, who will only join Gilas along with Erram on Monday after TNT’s PBA Philippine Cup game

against Ginebra later Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. (PNA)

he was playing big.” Among men, only Roger Federer owns more Wimbledon titles than Djokovic, with eight, and only Rafael Nadal owns more major trophies, with 22. “The more you win, it’s logical the more confident, the more comfortable you feel out there every next time you step out on the court,” said the top-seeded Djokovic, who was pleased to hear some spectators at Centre Court chanting his

nickname, “No-le! No-le!” as he served out the final point of a tremendously well-played tiebreaker. As of now, Djokovic will not be able to try to pull even with Nadal by winning the US Open, which begins in late August: The 35-year-old Serbian can’t enter the United States because he decided not to get any shots against COVID-19, the same reason Djokovic missed the Australian Open in January.

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SPORTS 11

Ramos to sit out FIBA Asia Cup

he Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Sunday that Dwight Ramos will be missing Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign for the FIBA Asia Cup after he was diagnosed with a medial tibial stress syndrome. According to the SBP in a statement, “Ramos has been dealing with pain in his left leg for the past week but it has become too much to overcome as he could not join the team for practice anymore.” The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center defines the said syndrome, simply known as “shin splints”, as “overuse injuries caused by repeated stress on the lower legs.” Shin splints happen among athletes in sports that require running like basketball. “We will definitely miss Dwight who’s one of our starters,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes. Ramos was listed as part of the final 12-man lineup that Gilas will parade for the FIBA Asia Cup as announced

Dwight Ramos (File photo)

on Saturday along with Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Carl Tamayo, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Will Navarro, LeBron Lopez, Geo Chiu, Kevin Quiambao, Ray-Ray Parks and Poy Erram. However, following the injury bug, Gilas team manager Butch Antonio said he will ask permission from FIBA during the pre-tournament technical meeting in Jakarta to have Ramos replaced with Rhenz Abando as the 12th player in the roster. Reyes confirmed that Abando will be flying to the Indonesian capital too with Gilas despite being the “reserve”. “That’s the value of having a pool and the reason why Rhenz is making the trip with the team,” said

FRAMOS, P10

Djokovic silences Kyrgios for 4th straight Wimbledon title

With the ATP revoking ranking points from Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic earns zero points for his title and will slide to No. 7. PHOTO: AP

IMBLEDON, England — Novak Djokovic waited. He waited for Nick Kyrgios to lose focus and lose his way. Waited to find the proper read on his foe’s big serves. Waited until his own level rose to the occasion. Djokovic is not bothered by a deficit — in a game, a set, a match. He does not mind problem-solving. And at Wimbledon, for quite some time now, he does not get defeated. See Charles Leclerc bounces back in Austria for

third win of season Djokovic used his steady brilliance to beat the ace-delivering, trickshot-hitting, constantly chattering Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) on Sunday for a fourth consecutive championship at the All England Club, seventh overall there, and 21st from all Grand Slam tournaments. “It’s weird. I felt like he didn’t do anything amazing today,” said the unseeded Kyrgios, offering an assessment with which some might not concur, given that Djokovic accumulated 31 winners and merely

eight unforced errors over the last two sets, while facing zero break points in that span. “But he was just so composed. That’s what I was just thinking to myself. In big moments, it just felt like he was never rattled. I feel like that’s his greatest strength: He just never looks rattled,” said Kyrgios, about whom those words likely have not been uttered. “He just looks completely within himself the whole time. Didn’t look like he was playing overaggressive, even though it felt like

FDJOKOVIC, P10

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

MAGSAYO DESERVES A REMATCH MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons criticized the verdict giving Mexican Rey Vargas the narrow split decision win over his protege Mark “Magnifico’ Magsayo for the WBC featherweight title fight last Sunday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. You can’t blame Gibbons for acting sore. I would have acted the same way. For an undefeated fighter like Vargas, he did more running than boxing after getting knocked down in the ninth by a right hook to the jaw. Two judges scored 115-112

and the third gave it to the Pinoy defending champion, 114-113. But since there is no return match clause in the contract because the Mexican is the mandatory challenger, Magsayo can only wait for another chance. So, there remains no Filipino boxer holding a championship belt today. In the last six months, we have lost Jerwin Ancajas’ IBF super flyweight title; John Riel Casimero was stripped of his WBO bantamweight tiara; Rene Mark Cuarto yielded his minimumweight crown and Nonito Donaire fell em-

barrassingly to Japan’s Inoue. This means that all of them need to work their way up anew the hard way, if they are genuinely dedicated and devoted to their craft. With so many talented ring gladiators coming up on the horizon, the challenges they will be facing are more than twice as formidable as what they will be expecting. Foreign exposure is one of the imperatives for Pinoy boxers to shine and refine their potential. Ideally, the US is the ideal arena because it is the mecca of boxing. This gives South American

boxers, notably those close to the American boundary, the edge because they get to fight regularly even in smaller boxing cards elsewhere in the US like California where there are notable stables and promotions. So you see why Mexicans are all over the place. They swarm Las Vegas, Atlantic City and California literally like flies. If Pinoy boxers can easily get US visas as conveniently as Mexicans do when they enter the US by just crossing the border, the Philippines can produce as many champions as possible.

I believe that Magsayo and company can do the MacArthur oath: I shall return, huh? I just feel sorry when I watch and see talented Pinoy champions get the shorter end of the rope. But hometown decisions are not new. They occur every so often. Because betting is allowed, boxing has emerged as a sport for gamblers, shrewd bettors and manipulators. Anyway, in Magsayo’s loss, another hard lesson is learned. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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Mark Magsayo came out fast early in round one and surprised Vargas, timing him with multiple overhand rights that got his attention. But midway through the second, Vargas adjusted and started to find his rhythm, letting go of his long jab and awkward combinations.

SWEET SCIENCE

Vargas outthinks, outhits Magsayo

espite being dropped and hurt in round 9, Rey Vargas (36-0, 22 ko) became the new WBC featherweight champion with a split decision win over Mark Magsayo. Two judges had it 115-112 for Vargas, and one had it 114-113 for Magsayo (not reality).

Magsayo came out fast early in round one and surprised Vargas, timing him with multiple overhand rights that got his attention. But midway through the second, Vargas adjusted and started to find his rhythm, letting go of his long jab and awkward combinations. For the majority of the fight, Magsayo (24-1, 16 ko) tried to get inside Vargas length and size and would occasionally land something nice, but could never really follow it up. Every time he would land, Vargas would either respond with a combination or make a defensive adjustment to end the exchange. Even after knocking down and hurting Vargas in round 9, Magsayo was unable to land anything meaningful for the rest of the round. As I had thought, his biggest issue was offensive consistency. It wasn’t the most eye catching or flashy, but Vargas fought a legitimate champion and beat him convincingly. On the heels of of a huge win over Gary Russell Jr., I could have seen a world where Magsayo came in with a new level of confidence and out-muscled

the inactive Vargas. But the reality is, Rey Vargas is a hell of a fighter who has spent a few years out of the spotlight, and whether you find him entertaining or not, what he does in the ring is extremely effective. At 126, he’s 5’10’ and uses it. it is hard to imagine many fighters outside of Emanuel Navarrete being able to crack the Vargas bubble. One of the more interesting fights for him could Brandon Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 ko), who had an impressive featherweight debut against Carlos Castro (27-2, 12 ko) on the undercard. The two went 50/50 until the 6th round, where after taking a barrage of shots from Castro, Figueroa turned Castro to the ropes and unloaded right back, prompting the referee the stop the fight. I didn’t love this stoppage. It seemed premature, and while I agree that Castro was buzzed, the fight was very physical and Castro didn’t seem defenseless at the moment of the stoppage. I would have liked to see this one play out more. All that being said, Figueroa’s pressure and physical-

FSWEET, P10