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VOL.15 ISSUE 82 • TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022
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Mangacop family shocked, outraged with autopsy results STORY ON PAGE 2
Bus passengers are required to step on to a footbath mat set up at the Provincial Veterinary Quatantine Services Center in Old Bulatukan, Makilala, Province of Cotabato as the provincial government intensifies its campaign against African Swine Fever (ASF) that is currently affecting its livestock industry. Edge Davao
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A National Bureau of Investigation 11 (NBI 11) personnel assists Amierkhan Mangacop’s father as he formally file a complaint against Dr. Marvin Rey Andrew R. Pepino, the suspect in the killing of his son, at the NBI 11 office in Davao City on July 8. Based on the autopsy conducted by the forensic team from NBI-Davao
Region on July 12, 2022 on the remains of Amierkhan, the victim sustained six fatal gunshot wounds leading to his death. The team also recovered three bullets in the body, with two lodged in the spinal column. Edge Davao
FAMILY OUTRAGE A
BARMM funds town hall, public market for Tawi-Tawi towns
Mangacop family shocked, outraged with autopsy results By MAYA M. PADILLO
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ficer II Charina Carmencita Labrador, showed that the victim sustained six fatal
gunshot wounds. The NBI Forensic Team also recovered three bullets in the body, with two lodged in the spinal column. The injuries of the victim were one shot perforated the right atrium of the heart; another caused damage to the liver; another to the stomach and spleen; another damaged the large intestine; and Mangacop also sustained rib fractures, muscle damage, and many more.
In a statement, the Mangacop family stated that Pepino did not need to fire multiple shots as the report showed that even by just one bullet his intent could still be completed. On July 12, 2022, the forensic team from the NBIDavao Region conducted an autopsy on the remains of Amierkhan. “This decision, on the part of the Family, is very painful for a faithful fol-
18% undecided. A total of 1,200 Filipino adults nationwide responded to the survey which has a margin of error of ± 2.8. The dissatisfaction rate was 16 percentage points higher compared to the survey result in September 2019, which showed that 28% of the respondents were not satisfied with the government’s K-12 program.
Gatchalian, who is set to retain his chairmanship of the Senate basic education committee, said the “growing” dissatisfaction with the K-12 system has highlighted the urgency of conducting review and reforms on the program. “Malinaw sa boses ng ating mga kababayan na hindi sila kuntento sa programa ng K-12. Ito ay dahil hindi natutupad ang mga
pangako nito at naging dagdag na pasanin lamang ito sa ating mga magulang at mga mag-aaral,” he said in a news release. (It is clear that the people are not satisfied with the K-12 program. It’s because the promises are not fulfilled and it only adds burden to parents and teachers.) The senator earlier said
angacop, a 19-year-old Grade 9 student, was shot outside Lugar Bar in J. Camus Extension, Brgy. 9-A, Davao City in Davao City on July 2, 2022. Tagged as a suspect in the killing is Dr. Marvin Rey Andrew Roflo Pepino, PNP Non-Uniformed Personnel of PRO 11 and son of the late Police BGen Marvin Manuel Pepino. The autopsy report, which was prepared and signed by Medico Legal Of-
FFAMILY, P10
44% of adult Pinoys ‘dissatisfied’ with K-12 program: Pulse Asia
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growing number of Filipino adults have expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s K-12 basic education system, a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian showed. The survey, conducted on June 24 to 27, indicated that 44% of the respondents were not satisfied with the program, while 39% were satisfied, and
F44%, P10
town hall for Sibutu and a public market for Sitangkai are among the projects launched here on Friday and Saturday to bring government closer to its constituents, Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said. “We are giving you better facilities so that you can also render better services to our people,” Sinarimbo said after the groundbreaking rites for the construction of a P24.25 million two-story municipal hall in Barangay Taungoh. A day earlier, the municipality of Sitangkai, from where Sibutu was carved, received the check for the construction of a P15.5-million public market building. Sinarimbo said the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under the leadership of interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim wants to bring government closer to its constituents, especially in remote communities. Sibutu officials headed by Mayor Nur-Fitra Ahaja came in full force, including the barangay captains, to express their gratitude to the Bangsamoro Government. “This groundbreaking event signifies a pathway of development that will open more road of opportunities for our municipality,” Ahaja said. On Friday in Sitangkai, dubbed “Venice of the
South,” Mayor Tiblan Ahaja expressed gratitude to the regional government’s choosing the town as a beneficiary under its infrastructure development program. “This is historic because this is the first time that our municipality received such project from the Bangsamoro government,” the mayor said. This is the second time that the MILG held groundbreaking activities in Tawi-Tawi since the province became easily accessible from Cotabato City, the seat of the Bangsamoro Government, with the opening last month of the twice weekly Cotabato-Tawi-Tawi flights. Sinarimbo’s team also proceeded to Sulu last month to inspect projects there or grace groundbreaking ceremonies. He said the establishment of infrastructure facilities in remote or border areas of the BARMM with the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area) will drive home the point that these remote towns are part of the Bangsamoro, of the Philippine territory. The creation of the BARMM is the key component of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed in 2014 under the Aquino administration after 17 years of negotiations.
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NEWS
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Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa says he has filed bills to revive the death penalty and mandatory ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps). Edge Davao
‘Rockstar’ Digong mobbed in mall, visits kids with cancer ‘Bato’ seeks to revive death penalty, mandatory ROTC
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en. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Monday he has filed bills to revive the death penalty and mandatory ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps). The former Philippine National Police chief said the death penalty would be only for “large-scale, high-level drug traffickers.” This would be defined as those who will be caught with 1 kilo of drugs, Dela Rosa said, adding that the figure will still be discussed at the committee and plenary level. “Our legislative proposal only limits the offenses to large-scale drug trafficking. Automatic tatamaan dito yung big-time drug traffickers. Sigurado tayo di tayo makakakita ng very strict opposition,” he told ANC’s Headstart. (This will automatically hit big-time drug traffickers. We’re sure we won’t see very strict opposition.) “I would just like to comment ang assumption natin na flawed ang justice system. Ako naniniwala pa rin ako sa’ting mga korte. Sampal yan sa’ting mga korte.” (I would just like to com-
ment on the assumption natin that our justice system is flawed. I still believe in our courts. That’s an insult to our courts.) The death penalty was abolished in the Philippines in 2006, under the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The senator also said he has filed a bill seeking to reestablish mandatory ROTC for Grades 11 to 12. The training would develop patriotism, discipline, and leadership in the youth, he said. It would also train a reserve army for the Philippines, he added. “Ang importante dito magkaroon tayo ng citizen armed forces. We’re a very small country na pag na-overrun ng China ang ating regular armed forces wala na tayong madagdag dahil wala na tayong trained,” he said. (What’s important here is we’ll have citizen armed forces. We’re a very small country that when China overruns our regular armed forces we can’t add more because we don’t have any more trained forces.)
By MAYA M. PADILLO
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He went to a mall in Manila after handing over the Presidential post to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, played with his grandchildren when he returned home in Davao City and visited his friend Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. On Saturday, he went to one of the malls in Davao City to buy a pair of shoes
and was mobbed by supporters. Duterte’s security group and the mall guards didn’t know what to do because of the number of people who approached and took selfies with him. Nancy LG Acuyong posted “In my youth, I have attended events where some presidentiables were the
guest speakers but people don’t react the same way they are with PRRD. I am an OFW based in KSA and I’ve seen him personally when he visited Riyadh a few years ago. When he arrived at the venue, he was more like a rock star as the audience keep on shouting and shrieking and at the same time he was some kind of Poon because everyone was shouting and chanting his name. Kakaiba ang dating nya sa mga tao and you can really feel his utmost sincerity na mahal nya ang kapwa
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Dr. Ashley Lopez, head of CHO, said there are 43 patients admitted to the private hospitals in Toril namely St. John of the Cross Hospital, Malta Medical Center, Davao Mediquest Hospital, and Ernesto Guadalupe Community Hospital.
“Sa karon maka-confirm ta nga naay outbreak sa kalibanga pero dili pa nato masulti or ma -confirm kung kani ba tungod sa kagaw, hugaw, contamination or food poisoning,” he said on Monday over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).
ormer President Rodrigo Duterte is relishing his time as private citizen two weeks after leaving office on June 30, 2022.
Filipino.” Glenda Marie also posted “Tatay D is a rock star-better-than-any-Hollywood-elite-Marvel-multiverse-superhero kind of guy... He’s simply one of a kind.” Ehms Cebreros posted that Duterte deserves all that love and respect as there will never be the same ex-PRRD in a lifetime. “Certified rock star na! He will be forever dearest to the hearts of Dabawenyos even before but more
Lopez said two factors are being considered in the outbreak: it can be water contamination or the street food and tapioca being sold in Toril as reported by one of the sanitary and district surveillance officers of CHO.
F‘ROCKSTAR’, P10
CHO confirms outbreak of diarrhea in Toril
n official of the City Health Office (CHO) confirmed reports on the outbreak of diarrhea in Toril, Davao City affecting 12 barangays of Toril (Toril A and B ) but are still finding out the reason behind the outbreak.
FCHO, P10
4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO
VOL.15 ISSUE 82 • TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022
A fruit vendor displays ripe jackfruit at a makeshift stall along the Davao-Cotabato highway in Makilala, Province of Cotabato on Monday. Edge Davao
Tourism ‘major pillar’ of economic recovery, growth under Marcos
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fter two years of sparse crowds in popular attractions, the Philippines is slowly seeing the return of visitors and hoping for the tourism sector’s rebound soon. Revitalizing the sector -- one of the hardest hit at the onset of the health crisis in 2020 -- is one of the Marcos administration’s top priorities, seeking to transform it into a “major pillar” of economic growth in the next six years. Days before his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed his Tourism chief, Christina Frasco, to introduce proactive policies and further
improve tourism infrastructure to speed up the sector’s recovery. At their July 12 Cabinet meeting, Marcos said he wanted local tourism-related infrastructure to be “at par” with top tourist destinations such as Singapore, recognizing the fact that tourism is a vital cog in the country’s economy, supporting jobs in hotels, restaurants, resorts, among others. Prior to the pandem-
ic, tourism’s contribution to the 2019 gross domestic product (GDP) was PHP2.48 trillion, or at least 12.8 percent of the total economy. With flights and tourism activities brought to a screeching halt in 2020, tourism’s share to GDP went down to 5.2 percent in 2021. While faced with the daunting task of bringing tourism figures back to pre-pandemic levels, the new administration is bullish on the sector’s recovery. Frasco herself committed to the “full development of the enabling environment -- the policies, conditions, and infrastruc-
he Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units (LGUs) to engage in public-private partnerships (PPP) to have their projects funded and raise income. Abalos said LGUs can look into a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme that they could “use in re-
source generation.” This, the DILG said, will enable them to partner with the private sector for programs. “As local chief executives of their respective LGUs, governors and mayors should always think outside the box and explore ways and means on how to get things done with the help of the pri-
vate sector and other stakeholders for the benefit of their constituents,” said Abalos. Aside from this, the interior chief told local officials to study their “broad taxing powers” based on the Local Government Code to “increase their resource base.” “Devolution is important because it would give
ture -- that will further boost the revitalization of the tourism industry.” The Department of Tourism (DOT) vowed to exert efforts to improve the country’s ranking, from being the sixth in Southeast Asia in terms of tourist arrivals and preference vis-a-vis leaders such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. In order to achieve these, the DOT laid down the following objectives: • Improve tourism infrastructure and accessibility; • Enable cohesive and comprehensive digitalization and connectivity;
LGUs the power and funds needed to effectively solve the issues of your constituents,” he said. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno had said the Marcos administration is also planning to shift to PPP. The push for PPP will also enable the government “enlarge fiscal space” and spend less for projects.
FTOURISM, P10
DILG to LGUs: Seek private-public partnership for projects’ funds T
Solon wants new tax reform package for mid, lower-income groups Pinoys
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lawmaker on Monday said she has filed a bill for a tax reform package aimed at helping Filipinos in the middle- and lower-income groups. ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro told TeleRadyo that her tax reform package is called Tax Reform Act for the Masses and the Middle Class, or TRAMM. “So yung first P400,000 per year na kinikita ng isang kababayan natin, ay exempted na yun sa tax. Sa ngayon kasi ay P250,000…at ang maximum tax rate sa aming proposal ay 20 percent lang, hindi katulad ngayon na 35 percent,” she said. (So the first P400,000 earned by Filipinos per year will be tax-exempt. For now it’s at P250,000. And under our proposal, the tax rate is 20 percent. At present it’s at 35 percent.) Castro noted that the measure is expected to help those earning P33,000 or lower monthly. “Tapos ibabalik natin dito sa panukalang batas na ito yung exemptions sa mga dependents pababa ng 18 years ‘no, tapos magdadagdag tayo ng mga senior.”
“Kapag meron kang alaga na mga senior citizen, at most 2, tsaka (persons with disability), ay kasama na natin dito,” she explained. (We will also bring back exemptions for those with dependents below 18, and we’lll ade xemptions for those taking care of senior citizens. If you’re taking care of at least 2 senior citizens of PWDs, you have exemptions.) She also said that bonuses less than P150,000 per year will be tax-exempt under the bill. At present, only bonuses less than P90,000 are exempted from taxes. The lawmaker also noted that the bill requires the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to set up a progressive, 10-bracket personal income tax schedule. Castro had earlier said that the bill will help Filipinos make ends meet amid the inflation rate in the country. “With increasing prices of basic goods and services, the passage of this bill is urgently needed. We urge our fellow lawmakers to give high priority to this bill and swiftly enact it into law,” she said in a statement on her Facebook page.
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Children enjoy the beach in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi on 16 July 2022. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH B. CABRERA
China says ready to help PH with infra, touts ‘quality and speed’ T
DOLE chief allays fears of gov’t employees on rightsizing plan
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he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assured state workers they have no reason to be rattled by the government’s rightsizing plan as it may not actually mean downsizing. The belt-tightening measure being pushed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) also connotes simplifying office procedures, according to DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma in a news release on Sunday. It can involve transfer of
human resources from one office to another to make a system more effective, said Laguesma. In the private sector where he came from, Laguesma said rightsizing means streamlining of processes and structural reforms. “When you talk of streamlining, it’s all about making work in a business easier and fruitful. On the other hand, structural reforms imply changes on the way the government works. I don’t see downsizing of workforce in those definitions,” he said.
German firms see ‘overall’ positive developments in PH, says survey
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erman businesses in the Philippines have generally positive expectations in the next few months as the country recovers from the impact of the pandemic and due to certainties following the national elections, a survey showed. German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc (GPCCI) Executive Director Christopher Zimmer said the latest Spring 2022 survey showed that almost half or 47 percent or participants said “they’re
current business situation is the Philippines is highest since the pandemic started.” Some 44 percent also see developments in investments in next 12 months, according to the survey by the network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad. “This maybe attributed to certainty after the election concluded. Employment also gained a lot of roles since the pandemic Overall positive. Our members are expecting mainly good improvements to come,” Zimmer said.
he Chinese embassy in Manila said the Asian giant is ready to help the Philippines with its infrastructure push days after a Transport official said several China-backed railway projects had remained unfunded. In a statement, the embassy said “China has comprehensive strength and is well-known for its quality and speed.” “China will tap its own advantage and support the Philippines to improve its infrastructure,” the embassy said. This comes days after Undersecretary Cesar
Chavez of the Department of Transportation, said the Laguna-Bicol, SubicClark, and Mindanao Railway projects, which were all backed by China, were stalled because China had yet to respond to the Philippines’ request for funding. Chavez said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had
also ordered them to renegotiate the deals. The embassy meanwhile said China was “open for technical discussions” on government-to-government projects, and was ready to work with the Philippines’ new administration. It also said that 17 projects in total have been completed, and more than 20 projects were “under implementation or in progress.” The embassy said the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the implementa-
tate-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) has rolled out a P10-billion facility for rural banks affected by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) that hit the country last year. Under its program, LandBank said it will provide assistance to countryside financial institutions (CFIs) in six regions that declared a state of calamity due to Typhoon Odette. LandBank said six regions are covered by the
program, including Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga. Dubbed “Rehabilitation and Support to Typhoon Odette-Affected Areas” or CFI-RESTORE Lending Program, the facility provides permanent working capital and capital expenditures. Moreover, the program covers rural, thrift, and cooperative banks, which can borrow up to 85% of the actual need for permanent
working capital and capital expenditure. It also includes up to 90% of the sub-borrowers’ agricultural loans, and 85% for non-agricultural loans. The program will have an interest rate of 4% per year fixed for the first three years, subject to repricing. It will be payable up to three years for working capital, ten years for capital expenditure, and 10 years for term loan rediscounting. “In the face of unprecedented financial challenges
tion of projects over the past 2 years “hindering the site availability, causing delays of procurement, affecting goods mobility, and so on.” Meanwhile, House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez urged the Marcos administration to drop Chinese financing for three railway projects. “We have other funding options, which the new national leadership should explore,” Rodriguez said naming Japan and several multilateral institutions as possible sources of funding.
brought about by calamities, LandBank stands ready to assist CFIs to sustain their operations,” President and Chief Executive Officer Cecilia Borromeo said in an emailed statement. “This is part of our commitment to advance local recovery and help build more resilient communities nationwide,” she added. Typhoon Odette hit the country in December 2021, leaving P13.8 billion worth of damage to the agriculture sector.
LandBank rolls out P10-B facility for rural banks affected by Odette S
6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO
VOL.15 ISSUE 82 • TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022
On President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss a comprehensive economic plan that will go beyond proposals to raise taxes during his first State Of The Nation Address:
There have been talks about raising taxes. This cannot be a stand-alone plan; rather, it should be part of a comprehensive economic blueprint that I hope will be discussed in the SONA”
Senator JOSEPH VICTOR ‘JV’ EJERCITO
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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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VOL.15 ISSUE 82 • TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022
VANTAGE POINTS
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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!
SO, WHAT’S THE SECRET? “I spent my childhood in Cebu where my father owned a chain of movie houses, including the first air-conditioned one outside Manila,” bared John Robinson Lim Gokongwei, Jr. in a speech delivered before an ad congress several years ago. “I was the eldest of six children and lived in a big house in Cebu’s Forbes Park.” A chauffeur drove this son of a wealthy businessman to school every day as he went to top-notch San Carlos University. “I topped my classes and had many friends,” he recalled. “I would bring them to watch movies for free at my father’s movie houses.” Then everything changed when his father died suddenly of complications due to typhoid. He was only 13 and the family lost everything. Their big house, cars, and business were all taken by the banks. “I felt angry at the world for taking away my father, and for taking away all that I enjoyed before,” he admitted. “When the free movies disappeared, I also lost half my friends. On the day I had to walk two miles to school for the very first time, I cried to my mother.” His mother, a widow at 32, told him: “You should feel lucky. Some people have no shoes to walk to school. What can you do? Your father died with 10 centavos in his pocket.” The family started from scratch all over again. “My mother sent my siblings to Chi-
na where living standards were lower. She and I stayed in Cebu to work, and we sent them money regularly. My mother sold her jewelry. When that ran out, we sold roasted peanuts in the backyard of our much-smaller home.” When that wasn’t enough, the young John opened a small stall in a public market (palengke). He chose one among several public markets a few miles outside the city “because there were fewer goods available for the people there,” he said. “I woke up at five o’clock every morning for the long bicycle ride to the palengke with my basket of goods.” At the palengke he had chosen, he set up a table about three feet by two feet in size. He laid out his various goods -- soap, candles, and thread – and kept selling until everything was bought. Why these goods? “Because these were hard times and this was a poor place, so people wanted and needed the basics --soap to keep them clean, candles to light the night, and thread to sew their clothes,” he explained. Being young, at age 15, had its advantages. “I did not tire as easily, and I moved more quickly. I was also more aggressive. After each day, I would make about 20 pesos in profit! There was enough to feed my siblings and still enough to pour back into the business. The pesos I made in the palengke were the pesos that went into building the business I have today.”
The Philippine Primer wrote of him: “Now, John Gokongwei, Jr. is the second richest Filipino in 2016, according to Forbes Magazine. Aside from being a business magnate, he is also a philanthropist. And with all the businesses he owns in the country, he provides thousands of jobs to people. With his story, he hopes to inspire people to have the determination to bounce back in life without ever quitting.” “The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were not limitations to overcome,” said Helen Keller, who was not only deaf but blind as well. “The hilltop would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.” Some of the world’s most famous personalities have limitations to conquer before they hit the big time! American basketball superstar Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. James Whistler, one of America’s painters, was expelled from West Point for failing chemistry. In 1905, the University of Bern turned down a doctoral dissertation as being irrelevant and fanciful. The young physics student who wrote the dissertation was Albert Einstein, who was disappointed but not defeated. Sir Winston Churchill suffered financial ruin more than once while his political career was seemingly aborted on sev-
eral occasions. Perhaps, it was Churchill’s numerous failures that led him to define success as “going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” The life of Harry S Truman, before he became the president of the United States, was full of setbacks. He and his father both suffered bankruptcy. West Point rejected his application. In fact, he experienced so many failures as a young man that he once wrote to his sweetheart, Bess, “I can’t possibly lose forever.” Truman was his party’s fourth choice for senator. He was the underdog in every election he fought. He was so poor that even after he was elected senator, he was forced to use a public health dentist and to sleep occasionally in his car while on the campaign trail. Before they become wellknown authors, they have to beg publishers to print their books. Dr. Seuss’s first children’s book, And to Think that I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected by 27 publishers. William Kennedy had written several manuscripts, all of them turned down by numerous publishers, before his “sudden success” with his novel Ironweed, which was rejected by 13 publishers before it was finally accepted for publication. Alex Haley got a rejection letter once a week for four years as a budding writer. Later in his career, he was ready to give up on the book Roots and himself.
After nine years on the project, he felt inadequate to the task and was ready to throw himself off a freighter in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. As Alex was standing at the back of the freighter, looking at the wake and preparing to throw himself into the ocean, he heard the voices of all his ancestors saying, “You go do what you got to do because they are all up there watching. Don’t give up. You can do it. We’re counting on you!” In the subsequent weeks, the final draft of Roots poured out of him – and the rest was history. An unknown poet says it well: “When things go wrong as they sometimes will, when the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile, but you have to sigh; When care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you must, but don’t you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns, and many a failure turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out. ”Don’t give up though the pace seems slow – you may succeed with another blow. Success is failure turned inside out – the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, and you never can tell just how close you are, it may be near when it seems so far. So, stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit – it’s when things seem worse that you must not quit.”
ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD
MATRIARCH OF RALOTA-BENDIGO CLAN (1) Matea Gonzales Almendras, aunt of the late Sen. Alejandro D. Almendras, may not ring a bell. But she is arguably the matriarch of two powerful Davao del Sur clans, the Ralotas and the Bendigos. She was first married to Nestor Ralota. Their union bore two children, namely Salud, the eldest, and Jesus. The couple’s blissful life was terribly interrupted after Nestor contracted the Hansenites disease and was sent to the Culion Leper Colony, in Palawan, for treatment and confinement. Because leprosy was then thought to be a contagious disease, even writing letters was discouraged as it would cause the spread of the infection through mail handling. Alone and without contact from Nestor, Matea, to fill the void in her life, fell in love with Miguel Batoto (love child of Eustaquio Moreno, a Spanish friar
from Amparo, La Rioja, Spain, and Mamertas Batoto of Cebu) who was already married to a first cousin. As their illicit relationship became public knowledge, the duo eloped and settled in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, where Miguel later died. She temporarily left her two children by Nestor with relatives in Danao until they were ready to join her in Davao. Their prohibited affair bore a child named Cesar. After Miguel died, Matea got close to Amancio Bendigo, a native farmhand working in her estate. Obviously, she was smitten by Bendigo’s industry as a landholding trustee. The acquaintance between the two led to courtship and eventually consummated in a common-law union. When the couple decided to wed, Nestor, who was incommunicado at the colony, was
still alive, thereby making the supposed marriage of Amancio and Matea in Santa Cruz not binding or void. Consequently, Cesar was adopted by Amancio and assumed his surname. The union, besides, bore five other children: Amancio Jr., Dominador, Rodrigo, Rebecca, and Liliosa. Jesus Ralota, Nestor’s only son, later became town mayor (1964—June 1967) of Santa Cruz but did not complete his term. He resigned and moved his residence to Digos where he became municipal mayor (197275). Cesar also became Santa Cruz mayor (1952-55) and so were the two other sons of Matea by Amancio. Dominador, who trailed Cesar, was elected twice (1956-59; 1960-63). Amancio Jr., meanwhile, had the longest stint in the Sta. Cruz mayoralty. He was elected twice (1968-71; 1972-75) and
extended (1976-80). He won a third term in 1980 but had to step down in April 1986 following the popular uprising that led to the fall of the Marcos dictatorship. Salud Ralota, meanwhile, married Cosme Leopoldo Cagas, a faculty member at Silliman University where she was enrolled. The union produced successful children, one of whom was Douglas, a human rights lawyer who became deputy minister of local government and community development (MLGCD, now interior and local government department) after the ascendancy of Corazon C. Aquino as president of the republic on February 25, 1986. Prior to this, he was Batasang Pambansa assemblyman, and later governor and congressman of Davao del Sur. Douglas’s only child, the two-time legislator and
vice-governor Mark Douglas IV, succeeded him as governor when he died from the pandemic in 2021. Another Ralota scion is Digos City councilor Gary R. Cagas, brother of Douglas whose son, Josef Fortich Cagas, was elected city mayor of Digos in 2019. Former Davao del Sur senior board member John Tracy F. Cagas, who succeeded Douglas Mark IV as vice governor in 2021, is the brother of Josef. Matea, who hosted Sen. Almendras while studying in college at the Mindanao Colleges (now UM), died in Sta. Cruz in 1961 a well-off and landowning matriarch. Her remains lie in the family mausoleum inside her sprawling estate. To honor her contributions to the progress of the town, a municipal street in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, has been named in her memory.
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VOL.15 ISSUE 82 • TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022
COMPETITIVE EDGE
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THE WORLD-FAMOUS BOOTLEG BEATLES ARE COMING BACK TO PH THIS OCTOBER FOR A CONCERT SERIES! Manila, Philippines - To all those long-time fans still young at heart , and to all old souls out here in the archipelago and “Across The Universe”, get ready as the world-renowned tribute act The Bootleg Beatles return to the Philippines for a series of wonderful concerts in select cities and prime live music venues. From “Love Me Do” to “Let It Be”, from the Cavern to the Apple rooftop, from black and white to psychedelic technicolour, the world’s Premier Beatle band returns to take you on a whistle-stop journey through the most vibrant revolutionary and divisive decade of all - the Swinging Sixties. It’s all here..the iconic mop tops , the Chelsea boots, the witty Beatle banter , the Chesterfield suits. This talented quartet, composed of Steve White (Paul McCartney), Stephen Hill (George Harrison), Tyson Kelly (John Lennon), and Gordon Elsmore (Ringo Starr) not only sound authentic …but their resemblance to the originals is uncanny. As one reviewer put it…”It’s not The Beatles …but you “simply won’t believe it.” Featuring a special set to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the Please Please Me LP …which of
course, gave birth to other timeless hits “Twist And Shout”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, don’t miss this amazing multi-media show . It’s an absolute must-see for Beatle fans of all ages. The Bootleg Beatles have previously performed sold out tours in the Philippines during their 2016 & 2018 tours here. Moreover, they are fresh from performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. So, to all Pinoy Beatles loyalists out there, you better prepare to witness their remarkable concert production behold for a one-of-akind live music experience like no other this 2022 featuring the finest repertoire of the world’s most popular band ever. The Bootleg Beatles are performing in the following dates and cities this coming October 2022: SMX Convention Centre, Davao City – Thursday, October 27th 2022 – 8pm Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City – Saturday, October 29th 2022 – 8pm PICC Plenary Hall, Pasay, Manila – Sunday, October 30th 2022 – 8pm ABOUT THE BOOTLEG BEATLES: Formed from the original cast of London’s West End multi-media stage show ‘Beatlemania’, The Bootleg Beatles have become ‘an institution’ with their note-perfect
recreation of the hits from the world’s most famous songbook. Every tiny detail is meticulously covered from costumes to authentic period instruments; from their witty ‘Liverpudlian’ banter to their ‘inflection perfect’ vocal mimicry. Such is the band’s far-reaching popularity they perform regular high-level concert tours of Australia, New Zealand, South America, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, as well
as their annual sell-out fifty-date national UK tour and a summer festival season including Glastonbury’s main Pyramid stage. Throughout their forty-year career, the Bootleg Beatles have supported many of the world’s biggest stars including Oasis, Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Elton John and even Sir Paul McCartney himself. They are also the second and only other group - after the Beatles - to play on Apple Rooftop in Savile Row, London.
SEU PAYS TRIBUTE TO OUTGOING PCSO CHAIRPERSON AND AD INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER The Sweepstakes Employees Union (SEU) led by its President, Christopher C. Bautista also known as “Pres. Cris” paid tribute to the outgoing Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairperson and Ad Interim General Manager Anselmo Simeon P. Pinili at the PCSO Board Room, 4th floor, Sun Plaza Building, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City on July 11, 2022. During the simple ceremony, a plaque of appreciation and a modest token was given by Pres. Cris to Chairperson Pinili in behalf of the SEU Executive Board, Department Representatives, and the PCSO Rankand-File as an expression of its collective gratitude for the latter’s efforts in restoring the dignity of work, upliftment of the working conditions, improvement of Labor-Management Relations, and showing compassion towards the needs of PCSO employees. Further, the SEU President intimated the positive sentiments of the PCSO workers that despite the momentary service of Chairperson Pinili as Ad Interim General Manager, he managed to accede to the SEU’s appeal and reintroduce programs that will have a far-reaching impact on the lives of every PCSO employee, saying “Maraming salamat po Mr. Chair, kami po sa pamunuan ng SEU kasama na ng buong
pamilya namin sa PCSO ay malugod at masaya sa binigay ninyong tulong para manumbalik ang ilang mahahalagang benepisyo para sa mga empleyado kahit sa maikling panahon lamang ng inyong panunungkulan.” On the other hand, Chairperson Pinili said his stay with PCSO is very challenging but fulfilling in serving the public and the Agency. He also extended his thanks to the SEU and the employees by saying “Maraming salamat din sa inyo dahil I have reached the finish line, in fact sumobra pa. As Head of the Agency it is my job to protect the agency as well as the employees that’s why when you asked for some requests I granted it right away because you guys deserve it”. Chairperson Pinili emphasized that the union should be proactive in finding ways of providing passive income for its members and collaborate in helping the PCSO in generating its fund, thus posed this statement to challenge the SEU leadership: “You guys also need to help PCSO, mag-isip kayo kung paano matutulungan ang ahensiya pwede kayong magtayo ng Cooperative for the employees to earn extra money for their families. Isa pa tulungan nyo maimprove ang kita ng mga Lotto and STL Games natin. Isa pa diyan yung pag-automate ng ating betting system thru online.”
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ANTONIO M. AJERO: DAVAO’S JOURNALISM PILLAR AS I KNOW HIM Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO
M
y connection to the late Antonio Movera Ajero started when I was working as information officer of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. It was then when I decided to contribute some features for a Davao-based publication. I went through some of the local newspapers in Davao and decided to send my stories to Ang Peryodiko Dabaw (APD). I mailed my write-ups through the post office and was ecstatic when
they were published. A few months later, I visited the APD office in Claveria. I had the opportunity of meeting some of the staff, including Stella Estremera, the late Nelson Bagaforo,
Carmelito Francisco, and Lolito delos Reyes. But the highlight of the said visit was finally meeting THE Antonio M. Ajero, whom local journalists called AMA (acronym for his whole names) and Daddy Cool. He was indeed a cool person. There was something in him that you will be drawn into. We talked for about ten minutes and when he found out that I worked as an information officer of an agricultural training center, he told me: “Why don’t you
write a regular agricultural column for our paper?” That was how “Agribiz Jottings” was born. I told AMA, however, that I wanted to branch out – not just agricultural features. I wanted to write some in-depth features and a column, “As You Like It” (where I can write anything about science, travel, environment, and lifestyle). I thought AMA would reject the idea since I had already a column. But to my surprise, he was very supportive.
On my next visit, he asked me whether I was interested in contributing my stories to the Press Foundation of Asia (PFA), which released a weekly dispatch to local newspapers all over the country. Yes, it was through AMA that I was able to write for DEPTHnews. When the Press Foundation of Asia invited me to attend an international training seminar in Bangkok, Thailand, AMA immediately signed the form, allowing me and agreed to use the features and articles I would be writing from the training. I lived in Bansalan, Davao del Sur and Davao City is about 86 kilometers away. So, my visits to the office were not often. During another visit, AMA asked me if I heard about the Rotary Club of Journalism Awards. “That’s good,” he said. “Collect some of your published articles and features and send these to this address.” I did what I was told.
Then, a few months later, I received a telegram (yes, that was the fastest way of communicating in those days) from the Rotary Club of Manila’s secretariat congratulating me. I was not told which category I won but I was invited to join the awarding ceremony which would be held at Manila Hotel. I went to the APD office to break the news to AMA. He was so happy about it and told me that he would attend the awarding ceremony. AMA did. And he was jubilant when Edith Regalado, of Philippine Star, was named Journalist of the Year for Mindanao while I won the Top Journalist of the Year. Edith was a former reporter of Sun Star Davao, where AMA served as publisher and editor-in-chief. In 2018, I was in the United States when I received a text message that I won another award. Since I
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lower of Islam. However, following consultations with the family elders and religious leaders, the Family conceded that an autopsy is needed to achieve justice for the murder of Amierkhan,” the statement said. The family also stated that the basis of this decision is from the Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League statement, which opined that it is permissible to dissect a dead body for “examination in the case of a criminal investigation to find out the causes of death or what crime was committed.” “The family remains hopeful and confident that these findings will serve the ends of justice for the murder of Amierkhan Pulalon Mangacop,” it said. The NBI 11 has conducted its investigation upon the order of the Office
of the City Prosecutor last July 6, 2022 directing all investigating units, including NBI-Davao, to submit additional evidence. This is after the victim’s family requested that the investigation and case files including those in the possession of the PNP Davao Cybercrime Unit for Forensic be transferred to NBI 11. The complaint for murder against Pepino was filed by police authorities on July 4, 2022. The result of the NBIDavao’s investigation came out on July 15 and was filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) on the same day. Three additional complaints for attempted murder were filed against Pepino as authorities found that he also pointed his firearm at the companion of the victim during the shooting incident.
one of the unfulfilled promises is the employment after graduation. He emphasized that the creation of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) is in line with the K-12 review.
Its focus is to “look at the quality of education and performance of learners.” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. already ordered for a review on the implementation of the K-12 program.
The BARMM was created in January 2019 following the plebiscite that ratified Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM, under the Duterte administration. The Bangsamoro region comprises the prov-
inces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Marawi, Lamitan and Cotabato and 63 villages from six towns in North Cotabato, now referred to as the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area. (Bong S.
so now. I believe he loves to be around people, the masa, chat and banter with them just like when he was still the mayor, sans the shrieking fans. His presidency years forbade him to do that. Now that he is free, we will chance upon him roaming the malls, hotels, restaurants etc,” posted Castalia Inspira. Duterte looked relaxed and some thought this is due to finally getting enough rest and sleep. It can be recalled that
the former president disclosed in some interviews that what he will do after his term is to get enough sleep. “I can sleep eight hours without worrying that I have to stand up,” he said. On Sunday, Duterte visited cancer-stricken children of the House of Hope at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). He gave them presents and in return the children handed him the work they had made for him.
• Enhance overall tourist experience; • Equalize tourism product development and promotion; Diversify portfolio through multi-dimensional tourism; maximization of domestic tourism; and Strengthen tourism governance through close coordination with local government units and stakeholders The department will anchor these goals on “three focus points,” namely connectivity, convenience, and equality. Enhancing connectivity Frasco has stressed that while there are available international airports at certain gateways across the Philippines, “the reality is that many of these airports are simply not yet of the global standard that would
put us at par with our direct competitors in the Asean member nations.” One of her proposals is to revisit the capacity of these airports to determine whether there would be an addition of direct flights to tourist destinations. In a statement ahead of the SONA, the DOT said it would promote convergence with agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation. “[A]ttention will be given to improving end-to-end transportation by land, sea, and air from arrival to departure, reducing as much as possible the number of legs a tourist has to take to arrive at his destination, and reviewing the availability and affordability of these routes,” it said.
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as station manager for a decade. His most prominent radio program was entitled, “Radyo Ukay,” where he did investigative reporting. AMA was also known to television audience. He co-hosted and was a TV presenter of Brainstorm, a weekly program that ran from 1989 to 1991. But it was in print media that he excelled. From 1988 to 1995, he was the editor-in-chief of Ang Peryodiko Dabaw. When it was bought by Sun Star, he was designated as its first editor and publisher, a stint he held until 2006. Aside from those two papers, AMA was also involved in other local publications like Mindanao Daily Mirror, Mindanao Times, Davao Sentinel, Davao Star, Mindanao Gazette and The Oro Eye. Since its inception in 1978, AMA was also a correspondent of Asiaweek until it ceased operation. In 2006, he founded Edge Davao, where he held the following positions: chairman of the board, president, publisher and editor-in-chief. Under his leadership, Edge Davao won several awards from the Philippine Press Institute. AMA was indeed a gamechanger in the field of journalism. AMA was a person who fights for the rights of his fellow journalists. Unknowingly, he was also fighting his own adversary – in the form of diabetes. He had been in constant struggle with the disease since in his 30s. AMA was diagnosed with diabetes after a free annual examination that was offered by the University of Mindanao. This was in 1978 where he worked as the sta-
tion manager of DXMC. “The first time, I was diagnosed to have a sugar level of 9 plus, I was simply given a list of things – food and drinks – to avoid. Actually, it was a list for people who have gout,” he recalled. AMA followed the socalled “avoid list” and did brisk walking. The next time he had the annual exam, the numbers were down – chiefly sugar level and bad cholesterol. When the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hit the country, AMA was just staying home as he was already a senior citizen. From time to time, he just texted me what he wanted me to write. Most of those requests were about profiles of some prominent Dabawenyos who are making a name for themselves. Consider this request about a feature on Ben John Tamayo: “(He is) based in Dubai. His three movies won in Japan, Russia and Turkey, where he won best actor. Anyway, he has been waiting for us to contact him. Just interview him about his awards. “One of his awards has been featured by the Entertainment Section of Philippine Star,” AMA continued, “a few months ago and that was how I stumbled on his story. His group has continued producing guerrilla films and winning awards. Ikaw na ang bahala Lito.” AMA is one of the few people in this world who called me, Lito. Most people call me Henry. In his text messages, AMA never failed to send some inspirational thoughts and some “gossips.” He also inquired if those gossips were true. Mostly, my answers were: “I had no idea, sir.” Early this year, I came
to meet him again when I visited the office. I just said the usual “hi” to him. I talked with him for a few minutes but that was all. I reminded him of answering the questions I sent to him for a feature story I would like to write. (He was not able to answer them.) When I sent a text message greeting on his birthday last March 22, he answered: “Thank you. Unta maluoy ang Ginoo paaboton ko niya’g at least 85.” On May 17, he sent me a text message that he and his friend, Serafin “Jun” Ledesma were arranging a trip for some Davao journalists to visit Malacanang in June before President Rodrigo R. Duterte would leave his presidential office. “We will ask Digos to give each of us a copy of the PRRD’s Legacy (achievements) and give us a 30-minute interview,” he wrote. (This never happened.) Last June 2, I received a text message from his doctor telling me that AMA had malignant lung cancer. “(It’s) not a good type,” he said. “(It’s) fast and no cure; prognosis is poor.” Three days later, I asked the doctor about AMA’s situation. “We haven’t seen each other lately,” he replied. “He had his follow-up check-ups with his doctors.” Then, last Sunday, July 17, I learned through the Facebook post of his daughter, May Yamson Ajero, that AMA finally wrote 30: “My father… passed away peacefully in his sleep today. Please keep him and our family in your prayers.” When I texted his doctor about AMA’s passing, he said, “So fast, now he’s gone. But the memories he left us will always be there. Rest in peace, Tony.”
ma-kompirmakungunsa anghinungdansakalibanga nanahitabosaToril,”hesaid. Anincidentcommand postisalsoestablishedat theDistrictHealthCenter acrossMagsaysayElementarySchoolinTorilwith staffpresentonsitetocater totheneedsofresidents experiencingsymptomsof diarrhea. LastSunday,apostwas circulatingonlinewarningtheresidentsofMatina downtoTorilareanotto drinkthetapwaterasthere aremanypatientswithsewillbesubmittedtothe vereLBMandvomitingina SouthernPhilippineMedical hospital’semergencyroom. Center(SPMC)foranalysis. Italsoadvisedthepublicto “Iamhopingthatlat- boilthetapwaterfirstbeerthisdayortomorrow fore drinking. we could have some at Lopezadvisedthatwhile leastinitialresultsonthe aninvestigationisongoing, testsconductedparaatong residentsinTorilareamust
notdrinkandusetapwater forfoodpreparationifitis notboiledatatemperature of 100 degrees. Itisalsobetterthatafterboilingthewater,leave italonefor10minutesafterboilingtomakesureitis sterilized;useonepurified orbottledwaterforconsumption,ifpossible;andalwayswashhandswithsoap and water. Meanwhile,theDavao CityWaterDistrict(DCWD) assuredcustomersthatwater sourcesaresafeandthatit immediatelydouble-checked allofitswatersourcesinthe affectedareasfollowingthe informationontheunusually highLBMcasesfromMatina to Toril areas. DCWDreportedinan advisorythatallchlorination facilitiesareworking100 percentwithchlorineresid-
ualwithinthenormallimits (0.8ppm),whichisresidualis enoughtoinactivatebacteria causingwaterbornediseases such as diarrhea. Inaddition,DCWDis conductingextensivewater samplingandtestinginits waterdistributionnetwork servingtheaffectedareas. DCWDalsostatedithas protocolsinplacetoensure thatthequalityofwater itprovidestothecustomerspassestheparameters ofthePhilippineNational StandardsforDrinkingWater(PNSDW).Itmaintains theuseofgaschlorineina controlleddosagetotreat thewaterandensureitis safeforconsumption. Whilethesourceofthe LBMcasesisstillundetermined,DCWDalsoadvised customerstoboilthewater beforedrinkingasanextra
will compete in the Youth women’s 45kg category. The other entries are Rosegie Ramos (Junior women’s 49kg), Giselle Anne Betua (Junior women’s 55kg), Joefry Frasco (Junior men’s 55kg), John Raphael Macato (Junior men’s 67kg), Rosalinda Faustino (Youth women’s 49kg), Kiesha Mae Felisilda (Youth women’s 55kg), Adrian Cristobal (Youth, men’s 61kg) and Christian Rodriguez
(Youth, men’s 67kg). The athletes are accompanied by coaches Allen Jayfrus Diaz, Christopher Bureros, Samuel Alegada and Edmundo Jose Cardan. The Philippines won two gold medals (snatch and total) and one silver medal (clean and jerk) from Sarno and a bronze medal courtesy of Rosegie Ramos (snatch) in 2019 edition of the tournament in Pyongyang, North Korea.
won’t be able to attend the awarding ceremony, I asked AMA to attend in my behalf. He readily agreed. During the awarding ceremony, he told me later, he said he felt uneasy when all winners were called but my name wasn’t called yet. “I thought you were just a nominee,” he said. “My trip was for nothing.” Fortunately, the series which was published in Edge Davao on rice, was named Agricultural Story of the Year. AMA stood immediately when my name was called and went to the stage to receive the coveted trophy, the cash prize and the iPod that went along with the award. When I went to the office to get the award, he shared me the story. And after giving me the trophy, AMA said, in a voice which most Davao journalists already were already familiar with, “Congratulations again.” AMA was a man of integrity, honesty, and had a good sense of humor. He was not actually from Davao; he came to the city in 1951. He was born in Calbayog, Samar. Writing was in his blood. Even when he was still in high school, AMA was already writing; he was the editor-in-chief of the school paper of Davao City High School, where he attended from first year to third year. In his senior year, he moved to Mindanao Colleges (later known as University of Mindanao), where he graduated in 1955. Years later, he founded the University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network. He was not only good in writing but also in talking. So much so that in both DXUM and DXDC, he served
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“Duha ang among considerations. Pero sa karon dili pa namo ma-confirm kay tungod domingo gahapon and our laboratory at SPMC is close on Sunday. But if it is really due to water contamination ang gina-expect namo daghan maapektuhan, we even expected hundreds or even thousand,” he said. Lopez said CHO is already conducting rectal swabs, water analysis including fecal analysis of the patients confined to various hospitals and specimens
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85kgs in the snatch and was tied for second place with India’s L. Dhanush. Dao’s compatriot, A Tieu, was second overall with a total of 195kgs. He secured the gold medal in the snatch (91kgs) and the silver in the clean and jerk (104kgs). Also scheduled to compete on Sunday was Jun Dominic Bohol in the Youth men’s 55kg category. Eleven more Filipinos,
including Southeast Asian Games double-gold medalist Vanessa Sarno and World Youth champion Rose Jean Ramos, are seeing action in the tournament for the region’s best athletes in the Youth (13-17 years old) and Junior (15 to 20 years old) divisions. Sarno, the reigning Asian champion, is entered in the Junior women’s 71kg category while Rose Jean Ramos
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WINNER. Angeline Colonia ruled the Youth women’s 40kg category of the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on July 17, 2022. Colonia, a Grade 11 student from Culianan National High School in Zamboanga City, became a member of the national team only last March. (Photo courtesy of Asian Weightlifting Federation)
Colonia wins 2 golds in Asian Youth weightlifting
A
ngeline Colonia kicked off the Philippine campaign in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships on a high note following her title victory in the Youth women’s 40kg category on Sunday night in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Playing in her first international tournament, Colonia bagged the gold
medal in snatch (62kgs), the silver medal in clean and jerk (72kgs) and the gold
medal in total (134kgs). She also set new Asian Youth and World Youth records in snatch. The World Youth record of 61kgs was set in November 2018. Vietnam’s Duong Thi Kim Yen, who won the gold medal in clean and jerk (73kgs), finished second with a total of 129kgs. She lifted 56kgs in her first attempt but failed on her second (59kgs) and third
(61kgs). India’s Kishor Akahksha Vyavhare placed third with a total lift of 125kgs (55kgs in snatch and 70kgs in clean and jerk). Colonia, a Grade 11 student from Culianan National High School in Zamboanga City, became a member of the national team only last March. She is the youngest sister of 2016 Rio Olympics veteran Nestor Colonia. She
was trained by her uncle, 1988 Seoul Olympics veteran Gregorio Colonia. “She’s good for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Another Olympian coming up. ‘Future’ here we come. Praise the Lord. More to come,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella when asked to comment on Angeline’s victory. Meanwhile, Prince Keil
de los Santos pocketed two bronze medals in the Youth men’s 49kg category. He was fourth in the snatch (83kgs), third in the clean and jerk (103kgs) and was ranked third overall with a total of 186kgs. Vietnam’s Bui Minh Dao topped the event after winning the gold medal in the clean and jerk (111kgs) and total (196kgs). He registered
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TOO MUCH HOPE ON GILAS Before anything else, my condolences and prayers of comfort and peace to the Ajero family whose patriarch, Tony Ajero, our Editor in Chief, passed away recently. Tony left a void that will be difficult to fill. *******
Hey, let’s face it. Let us not place too much hope that our young boys competing at the FIBA Asia Cup will reap honors. Gilas is not the ideal squad we all expect it to be as was seen in its last three games in group D play. They were smothered by Leb-
anon, 95-80, expectedly eased comfortably by weakling India 101-59 and were waylaid by New Zealand, 92-75. Mind you, Pinoy national teams have been mangling their foes during the time the FIBA Asia Cup was called the Asian Basketball Championships in the 60s and 70s. Without the likes of tall centers Kai Sotto and Ange Kouame and power forwards like JunMar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, the Gilas five the Philippines sent was a token team that was not representative of its true strength and worth. Has not Justin Brownlee,
Ginebra’s all-around go-to guy and the recent PBA’s Best Import, volunteered to be the Gilas import much earlier? I am just wondering why SBP sent a cadet platoon to be fed to the lions as Gilas losses to Lebanon and New Zealand were as embarrassing as a slap on the face of basketball officials. Did you see how the big guys of Lebanon and NZ toyed with our boys as if the tournament were a barangay competition? It’s a shame because Pinoys were being looked up to by perennial rivals South Korea and Japan as icons of the game.
I thought Gilas came in unprepared for this tournament. Pardon me for saying this but my heart bleeds whenever Pinoy hoopsters lose to opponents we could beat. So the Philippines has been relegated to fight for sixth place against an impressive sharp shooting Japan which I think truly improved over the years. I wish our mindset and culture would change from “okay na” to “let’s do it”. The former is a state of mind that borders on mediocrity, if it is not already in mediocrity. The latter strives to achieve excellence by exerting the best
efforts necessary to make it to the top. Indonesia, our favorite whipping boy in the SEA Games, taught us a hard lesson in Vietnam by taking our scalps and dethroning us. They are also going notches up the ladder by putting up decent opposition against much fancied rivals. Excuses and various explanations are being offered to downplay and soften the impact of Gilas’ losses. This is hardly what we need to improve ourselves. Tsktsktsk. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com. GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
12 SPORTS
EDGEDAVAO
VOL.15 ISSUE 82 • TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022
NEW QUEENS The Philippine women’s national football team whoop it up after winning the AFF title for the first time.
Pinay booters upset Thais 3-0, win AFF Women’s Championships
H
ail the new queens of Southeast Asian football. The Philippine women’s football team won the AFF Women’s Championship after beating Thailand, 3-0, in the Sunday night final at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
In front of 8,257 fans, the Filipinas won their first ever championship in the regional event in style, blanking Thailand, perennially a known Asian football powerhouse in both the men’s and the women’s divisions, in the title game and exacting their revenge from their group stage loss last Tuesday. Jessika Cowart opened the account for the Filipinas in the eighth minute after slotting the ball in off a Tahnai Annis corner kick. Katrina Guillou added the Filipinas’ second goal in the 20th minute after she recovered the
ball from a scramble. Defense then came to work for the Filipinas the rest of the way, and their shutdown of Thailand was rewarded in the 89th minute when Sarina Bolden headed home the dagger which also sealed her win as the tournament’s best scorer with eight goals. This is the Philippines’ first championship in any AFF-sanctioned international tournament, getting to the chip first than their male counterparts, the Azkals. In the bronze medal match, Myanmar came from behind to stun Vietnam, 4-3. (PNA)