Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 140 | Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022

CULTURE OF SECURITY

City to enhance preparedness, responses of safety and security units through ‘simex’

By MAYA M. PADILLO

To be spearheaded by the Public Safety and Se curity Command Center (PSSCC), the simulation ex ercise will be carried out in a school in Davao City.

Angel Sumagaysay,

head of PSSCC, said scenar ios during the simex will be grenade throwing, active shooting, and hostage tak ing.

“Davao City as simex city kay every quarter

nagapahigayon ta ug sim ulation exercise. Sa pag kakaron all set na kami all system go na. Karon gi complicate nato ang sce nario para makita ang lihok ug response sa concerned units. Escalating pud ang scenario,” he said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday.

The simex will be par ticipated by all safety and security units of the city including the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Task

Force Davao (TF Davao), City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTT MO), Central 911, maritime groups, Department of Ed ucation 11 (DepEd 11), and Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage ment Office (CDRRMO).

“The venue will be within the school. You know what? In simulation it is important ang partic ipation sa isa ka establish ment kung asa nato gipa

PUV operators may now request updated fare matrix, says LTFRB

The Land Transpor tation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thurs day called on operators of public utility vehicles (PUV) to request an up dated fare matrix at a nearby LTFRB office as a new fare hike takes effect Oct. 3.

In a Facebook post, the LTFRB said posting a fare matrix inside PUVs is required as part of the fare increase order.

Before visiting an LTFRB office, PUV oper ators must secure their latest OR/CR (Official Re ceipt/Certificate of Reg istration) from the Land

Transportation Office, a franchise verification, a copy of their Provisional Authority (PA) for those without a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), and an official re ceipt of payment.

“Bukas ang tanggapan ng LTFRB upang tumang gap ng mga request ng

Dela Rosa sees local insurgency gone soon

The Philippines will be a better place to live if the government’s problem with local insur gency will continue to sub side, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said on Thursday.

During the Sustainable Livelihood Program distri bution at SB Park, Quezon City, he asked for the sup port of the people, saying eradicating local insurgen cy will entail an improve ment in the lives of each Filipino.

Dela Rosa is pushing for a measure to institu tionalize the National Task Force to End Local Commu nist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) through his Senate Bill No. 200 or the ELCAC Act.

During the recent hear ing of the Senate Commit tee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation, the for mer chief of the Philippine National Police said he saw a “glimmer of hope” when NTF-ELCAC was formed.

Once at an LTFRB of fice, PUV operators may proceed to window 13 or P10

Fare Matrix/Guide mula Lunes hanggang Sabado (LTFRB offices are open to receive requests for fare matrix/guide from Monday to Saturday),” it said.

“Bantayan po ninyo ang inyong mga anak lalong-lalo na yung mga nag-aaral da hil grabe ang (Let us guard our children especially those who are at schools because they have intensi fied their) recruitment nila [New People’s Army (NPA)] ngayon sa mga eskwelahan. Kawawa ang mga anak na tin. Nawala, akala niyo kung saan nagpunta. Yun pala na-recruit na nila (now in schools. Our children will be pitiful. They will be gone and we don’t know where they went. Then sudden ly, we’ll discover that they were recruited),” he told residents.

The lawmaker was with Senator Christopher Law rence Go at the event.

“Sabi nga namin nu’ng teniente pa kami (We said when we were still lieuten ants), ‘What kind of war is this? Tayo lang pinaba yaan ng gobyerno makipag giyera, makipag patayan sa mga (We are being left alone by the government to fight against) NPA. They’re sitting in their chair, inside their office, nagpapalamig lang sa opisina. Kami doon sa (just cooling off in the office. We are there in the) field, kami ang nakipagpa tayan. Kami ang nasasak tan, kami ang nahihirapan (we are the ones who fight. We are the ones who hurt and struggle),” Dela Rosa said.

Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay say the scheduled Davao City-wide Culture of Security simulation exercise next weeks aims to gauge the operational readiness of the security and safety units of Davao City. Edge Davao

The city government of Davao will be testing and enhancing security and safety readiness in responding to ter ror incidents through a Davao City-wide Cul ture of Security simulation exercise, which is expected to happen next week.

Primary establishments go hiring in tourism job fair

City gov’t of Davao bares

12-point priority agenda

The 12-point agenda of Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s ad ministration was unveiled on Thursday during the gath ering of Davao City officials from the executive and legis lative branches to formulate the Executive and Legislative Agenda for 2023-2025 at the Arcadia Event Center.

Davao City Acting Ad ministrator Atty. Francis Mark Layog presented the 12-point priority agenda of Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

The 12 other key pri ority areas are poverty alleviation; infrastructure development; sustainable environment; health; edu cation and human resource development; agriculture and agribusiness; business and industrial support de velopment; transportation planning and traffic man agement; peace and order; disaster risk reduction and mitigation; good governance through innovative ICT; and tourism and development and support services.

These programs were included in the discussion of around 200 representatives

of city government offices, the Sangguniang Panlung sod, and the Department of the Interior and Local Gov ernment City Planning and Devel opment Coordinator Engr. Ivan C. Cortez said that the ELA is a DILG requirement that should be formulated within the first 100 days of every new administration.

He said that the ELA will set the development direc tion of the city government, together with the Sangguni ang Panlungsod, for the next three years.

As discussed by DILG Davao Director Vicky Sarce na, the “ELA will also be come the basis for the Local Development Investment Plan (LDIP)”.

The LDIP will contain the list of projects and pro grams by the executive and the legislative for funding from all sources.

Mayor Baste Duterte, in his speech, urged the exec utive and legislative offices to work together for the implementation of priority projects and programs to be identified under the ELA. CIO

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Majorhotel and hospitality estab lishments took part in the recent Trabaho, Serbisyo, Pangkabuhayan Philippine Tourism Job Fair of the Depart ment of Tourism (DOT) and the Depart ment of Labor and Employment held at Abreeza Mall.

Lawyer Jason Balais, assistant regional director of DOLE 11, told media that out of the 42 participating establishments, 24 are pri mary establishments most ly in the hotel sector while

18 belong to the secondary and allied services.

Some 2,576 jobs were offered.

“As of 9 am pag open sa job fair we are graced by 42 local employers that are

opening their jobs equiva lent to 2,576 job vacancies,” Balais said.

The qualifications also varied upon individual va cancies that the partner es tablishments were offering.

“The qualification ang matching of the qualifica tion of the job seekers and the requirement of the es tablishment is very import ant so that kung ma-match ang requirement sa estab lishment and the qualifica tion of the job seeker we can expect that they may

be hired on the spot and that is very good news for the job seekers as well as the industry in general,” he added.

The fair was simultane ously conducted in Manila and Cebu City.

The flagship employ ment program of the DOT and DOLE, a total of 7,510 job vacancies, we’re expect ed from the establishments across the three major locations from the accom modation establishments,

Employers told to relax job qualifications

Councilor Bernie Al-ag has called on the em ployers, specifically in the tourism sector, to relax qualifications for job appli cants.

Al-ag, chair of the com mittee of trade and com merce of the City Council, said some of the complaints received by his office are applicants cannot get a job because they are not fit for the qualifications set by the employers.

“We want to ask our em ployers to relax their quali fications to the job seekers

kay kasagaran muabot sa among opisina dili sila makasulod sa trabaho kay ang qualifications dili sila fit. Number one, mangayo ug Tesda NC II, ang uban ga require ug experience and we know na three years li sod ang trabaho tungod sa pandemic, so ang hangyo namo sa mga employers is to relax their qualifica tions and give a chance na ma-hire ang mga walay ex perience ug ato tagaan pud ug chance na ma-hire sila bisan wala pay NC II sa Tes da. To follow na lang unta.

Mao ni atong hangyo sa mga employers nga tagaan ug tsansa ang mga walay experience,” Al-ag told me dia during the opening of the Philippine Tourism Job Fair at Abreeza Mall.

Al-ag cited the difficult requirements needed such as the clearance from the National Bureau of Inves tigation (NBI), which add ed to the burden of the job seekers.

He said his office is now looking at removing NBI clearance from the require ments.

“Kabalo ka kung nag apply ta karon usa pa ta makatrabaho mugasto ta ug sobra P2,000 sa mga requirements lang sama sa NBI clearance, certificates, medical check up. Now gina question na namo ning mga nagapangayo ug NBI clear ance ngano diay kung naa kay pending na kaso dili naka makatrabaho? Mao ni ang ginatan-aw namo be cause we want to cut these mga dili kaayo importante na mga requirements. Isa na sa mga maka discourage

Councilor Bernie Al-ag, chair of the committee of trade and commerce of the City Council, congratulates Tourism Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao during the opening of the two-day Philippine Tourism Job fair dubbed “Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso” at the activity center of Abreeza mall in Davao City on Thursday. Al-ag of has called on the employers, specially in the tourism sector in Davao City, to relax some of their qualifications for the jobseekers. Edge Davao

Hybrid rice farming steps up agriculture in Davao de Oro

Asignificant step up in the agriculture sector in Davao de Oro came into light right after the successful harvest of the Community Hybrid Rice Model Farm: a community model of hybrid rice variety es tablished in selected barangays in the mu nicipalities of Compostela and Nabunturan ranging up to 200 hectares of land area.

The model farms are an initiative through the collaboration of the Depart ment of Agriculture Region XI, Provincial Government of Davao de Oro headed by Governor Dorothy Mon tejo-Gonzaga, Provincial Agriculturist’s Office of DdO, Municipal Agriculture Offices of Compostela and Nabuturan, and private

seed companies; Syngenta Philippines, Inc., SL Agri tech Corporation, and Bay er Crop Science.

The project yields a sig nificant rack-up in the prov ince’s rice sector by using four (4) hybrid rice variet ies: Bigante Plus, NK5017, SL 20H, and M20. These hy brid rice varieties showed the potential to adapt to

climate changes and gener ate a higher income for the local farmers.

The involved agencies and private partners also pushed for the concept of farm clustering, a meth od utilizing two cropping seasons, both wet and dry cropping irrigated areas, to fully maximize space, time, and effort. In total, the mu nicipality of Compostela involves Brgy. Gabi, Tamia, Lagab, San, Jose, and Sio con has 100 hectares of rice model farm site with 66 farmer-cooperators, while Brgy. Magading, Li basan (LIPRIMCO), Libasan (PNIA), and Pangutusan comprised Nabunturan with 100 hectares of rice

model farm site and 78 farmer-cooperators.

Further, both Compos tela and Nabunturan re ceived 25 bags of rice seeds for each hybrid variety of rice for their model farm, including loads of fertilizers (urea, complete, and MOP) per hectare of the model farm.

In partnership with DA and private companies, this initiative of the provincial government is a blueprint for modern, efficient, and effective rice-farming tech niques that will soon be ad opted by the other farmers province-wide.

PAGRO Head Dr. Jai me Anter, in his message

DOE completes Natural Gas Development Plan

The Department of En ergy (DOE) and the University of the Phil ippines Statistical Center Research Foundation, Inc. (UPSCRFI) have complet ed the Natural Gas Devel opment Plan (NGDP) that aims to attract investments in the country’s down stream natural gas indus try.

The NGDP, which is the second phase of the Gas Policy Development Proj ect (GPDP), was turned over by the United States Department of State Bu reau of Energy Resources on Thursday.

“We underscore the

importance of developing our natural gas industry. As part of our strategy and ensuring energy security, we need to strengthen our strategies and policies,” DOE director Rino Abad said in a statement.

The NGDP will serve as a guide to policymakers, regulators, and investors in the development of the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry (PD NGI).

The blueprint contains information on the exist ing legal framework, gas demand outlook, ongoing projects, membership of the Technical Committee

on Downstream Natural Gas Standards on Products, Facility, and Code of Prac tice, way forward plans, and the GPDP technical and research products.

“Other documents in clude the proposed reg ulatory process contain ing recommendations to government agencies and local government units (LGUs) involved in the PDNGI value chain. These include technical, admin istrative, and regulatory guidance for 11 agencies and two LGUs, a simplified process for securing per mits and clearances, doc umentary requirements,

DITO says passes the NTC technical audit

DITO Telecommunity passed its third year technical audit by the National Telecommunica tions Commission, the telco said on Thursday.

The Dennis Uy-led third major telco said it delivered on its commitment to pro vide national population coverage of over 70 percent with a minimum average broadband speed of 55 Mbps.

ings shared by DITO said the telco covered 72.39 per cent of the population and delivered 71.8 Mbps for 4G and 801.1 Mbps for 5G.

“We continue to abide by - and even exceed - our commitments to govern ment to improve speed and coverage in the telco sector and bring real competition for the benefit of Filipino consumers,” said DITO chief administrative officer Adel

A copy of the NTC find

and technical standards to comply with,” the DOE added.

Abad said the NGDP will aid the Philippines to advance the development of the downstream natu ral gas industry which in cludes the role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the country’s energy system.

“With the challenges facing the current supply of our natural gas from the Malampaya gas field, this NGDP is also timely in providing our prospective investors’ guidance and policy framework, legal re quirements, and incentives HYBRID, DOE,

Bangko

Sentral ng Pil ipinas (BSP) Gover nor Felipe Medalla on Thursday (US time) said the Philippines’ strong re lationship with the United States does not mean it will have less trade and invest ments with China.

“It does not necessar ily follow that the strong relationship with the Phil ippines and United States means less trade and in vestments from China, okay? Because that itself is a natural force in its own right,” Medalla said in an economic briefing in New York.

Medalla cited as an ex ample the possibility that there will be more Chinese tourists in the Philippines than Americans if the tour ism sector gets revived considering China’s popu lation and proximity.

“So do not see it as the Philippines is choosing one or the other. So it’s a degree of change, probably more related to defense and se curity, than the economy,” he said.

In an interview during the New York Stock Ex change Economic Forum earlier this week, President

National Economic and Development Authority 11 (NEDA 11) officials led by director Ma. Lourdes Lim and assistant director Gilberto Altura pays a visit to the office of City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat on Friday to discuss various projects and programs that could lead to the further development of the city. NEDA 11 earlier conducted consultation with city and province officials for the Davao Regional Development Plan for 2023-2028 Framework. (CIO MATI)

Strong partnership with US does not mean less trade with China: BSP chief

SEC Davao expands CAN’s reach, partners with DAR 12

he entire Asia Pacific Region, including the Philippines, appears unlikely to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs with less than 8 years left before the 2030 deadline, a UN official said on Thursday.

“We are not doing well on their implementation. The most recent report on the Asia Pacific region says that the region is not on track to achieve any of the SDGs,” Resident Coordina tor for the United Nations in the Philippines Gustav Gonzalez said.

The 17 SDGs were launched by the United Na tions in 2015, and the Phil ippines is party to those goals. They include the fol lowing:

1. No Poverty Zero Hunger

Several sectors in the Philippines require imme diate response, including inequalities in education, climate, and wealth, which have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

“Very soon the UN country team will update its new cooperation frame work with the Philippines to align with the priorities of the new Philippine De velopment Plan. And it will be another opportunity to pool all our capacities, knowledge, and resources to support the Philippines in the next 6 years in this challenging journey,” he said.

The Philippine Statis tics Authority has been hard at work gathering data to help track the Phil ippines’ progress in the 17 SDGs, its Chief Statistical

The

Securities and Exchange Commis sion-Davao Extension Office (SEC DEO) has continued to expand its SEC Communication, Advocacy, and Net work (SEC CAN!) initiative by partnering the Department of Agrarian Reform Re gion 12 (DAR SOCCSKSARGEN), its first national government agency partner in the south-central Mindanao Region.

The partnership was finalized during a sign ing of a memorandum of agreement between the two agencies held at the DAR-SOCCSKSARGEN re gional office in Koronadal City, South Cotabato on September 21.

SEC DEO lawyer Ka trina Jamilla Ponco-Es

tares said that the part nership is an important milestone for the SEC CAN! campaign as it sig nals the participation of more agencies not only in its base region, Davao Re gion, but in all areas un der its jurisdiction.

“We acknowledge that we cannot do this on

our own. That is why we launched the SEC CAN! program two years ago at our Head Office, and last April for the Commis sion’s nine (9) extension offices,” the director said.

For the partnership, “we are committed to helping the farmer groups take their associations to a new level as it will open up new opportunities for them,” she added.

DAR SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Director Mari annie S. Lauban-Baunto was elated with the part nership as this will bene fit the organizations that they are assisting.

“We would like to ex press our gratitude to the

SEC for the fruition of this partnership through this MOA signing as this will be very beneficial to the Agrarian Reform Benefi ciary Organizations (AR BOs) in the development of their organizations,” said Regional Director Lauban-Baunto.

She added that her agency “commits to sup port this partnership and vows to aid and assist the ARBOs in registering with the SEC and will contin ue to provide support for their development and that of their members”.

While in the city, the SEC DEO team also paid a courtesy visit to Philip

Peso may shrink further vs. dollar: economist

The Philippine peso may shrink further against the US dollar, an economist said Friday, after the currency fell to yet another record low follow ing the Federal Reserve’s latest big time rate hike.

Economist Calixto Chikiamco said he expects the peso to continue to de preciate as the Fed signals more increases in interest rates.

“Kasi ang Estados Uni dos eh, yung Federal Re serve are trying to fight the

inflation ‘no, at sini-signal nila na mas tataas pa nila ang interest rates in the coming months para ma sugpo ang inflation. Pag ev erytime na magtataas sila ng interest rates, eh siyem pre, mas hihina pa rin ang piso,” he explained.

(The US Federal Re serve is trying to fight infla tion, and they are signaling more interest rate hikes in the coming months. Every time they raise rates, the peso can weaken further.)

“Unless sumabay tayo

diyan,” he said. (Unless we hike rates too.)

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Thursday raised the country’s bench mark interest rate by 50-ba sis points to 4.25 percent.

Chikiamco stressed, however, that the peso is not the only currency that is weakening against the dollar.

“Maaaring until huminto ang US Feder al Reserve sa pagtaas ng kanilang interest rates, eh

makikita natin ang general direction ay ang paglakas ng US dollar at paghina ng piso. At hindi lang naman ang piso ang hihina, pal agay ko, lahat ng curren cy, whether that is British pound or Euro, eh hihina rin,” he added.

(Until the US Federal Rserve stops raising inter est rates, we see the dollar strengthening and the peso weakening. And it’s not just the peso, I think the British pound or Euro will depreci ate as well.)

Mallgoers check the food items on display during the second day of the Philippine Tourism Job fair dubbed “Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso” at the activity center of Abreeza mall in Davao City on Friday. Edge Davao

EDITORIAL

That barbaric act called hazing

The death of young University of Mindanao student August Ceazar P. Saplot, a pledgee of the ALPHA KAPPA RHO Fraternity, Alpha Delta Chap ter, to an alleged case of fraternity hazing brings us back to the conversa tion of whether or not hazing is allowed in our civilized society, particularly in educational institutions.

It is strangely surprising that Saplot’s death had to happen and in Davao City at that. We recall that in 2018, no less than President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 or Republic Act No. 11053, completely prohibiting hazing and imposing harsher penalties on organiz ers and participants of hazing.

The law is an amendment of the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995 or Republic Act No. 8049 which prohibited hazing only when there is no prior written notice to school authorities or the organization head.

Its Section 3 explicitly bans hazing.

“All forms of hazing shall be prohibited in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools, including citizens’ military training and citizens’ army training,” it reads.

The prohibition covers even non-school-based fraternities, sororities, and organizations.

The previous law--the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995, officially designated as Republic Act No. 8049--regulates the acts of hazing and other initiation rites in fraternities and sororities in the country. It prohibits and penalizes physical harm and violence in such practices.

The new law also introduces criminal penalties and fines as part of the penalties for those responsible for hazing.

It can be recalled that the signing of the Anti-Hazing Act comes in the aftermath of the death by hazing of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III. On Septem ber 17, 2017, Castillo was punched and paddled for 4 hours until he fell unconscious and died.

So how come hazing deaths like the recent incident that claimed the life of Saplot still happening? At this modern times, we find haz ing as a means for acceptance to an organization too barbaric and unacceptable. One’s tolerance to pain or survival from a physical or deal does not guarantee loyalty to a an organization in this civilized society.

These perpetrators--who have been identified and detained--must suf fer the penalties of the law and hopefully, their prosecution under the law will bring about a deterrence to fraternal hazing.

On conducting a Davao City-wide Culture of Security simulation exercise to enhance safety and security consciousness:

ANGEL SUMAGAYSAY Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC)

The venue will the You know what? In it is important ang sa isa kung asa nato but also within that area because you cannot predict someday kung asa mga

If you have been passing by Davao City National High School (DCNHS), chances are you will get a fleeting glimpse of the date ‘1922,’ in refer ence to a founding date, at the bottom of the eye-catching sculpture. But the question that begs an answer is when was the actual date the school was built? Is it really the old est public school in town?

In its online history, the DCNHS traces its begin ning to 1922, in a makeshift structure with a thatched roof and walls made from nipa built along Magallanes Street. It was in 1941 that it was moved to a much better building in a new location where the school now stands.

Historically, the construc tion of the first ‘school house’ in Davao was mandated by Act No. 36 of the Philippine Commission, enacted on Feb ruary 9, 1904, and approved

FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

on March 11, 1904. It was allotted P3,000 Mexican pe sos to partially cover the cost of the building. The statute was known as ‘The Municipal Code of the Moro Province.’

An excerpt from the An nual Report of the Engineer of the Moro Province that appeared in the August 1906 issue of The Far Eastern Re view explains that for the project to be completed, a portion of the funding would come from local ‘subscrip tion’ and ‘contributions’:

‘After the usual failure to secure reasonable bids, this office [Moro Province] took up the execution of the work under the local charge of the District Secretary, who is, under the law, the repre sentative of the Provincial Engineer upon work in his district. The work proceeded slowly and [was] apparent ly unnecessarily expensive.

During the time under re port, the building was about eighty-five percent complet ed, the quality of the work, however, being excellent. To tal expenditures P4,172.00, together with P603.12, Mex., local contributions.’

Disbursements made in 1905 and 1906, which ap peared in February 3, 1909, edition of the Zamboan ga-based The Mindanao Her ald, show that the ‘school at Davao’ was allotted P4,621.58 and P1,264.15, respectively, or a total of P7,685.73.

In the 1923 Annual Report of the Governor General, Phil ippines Islands, DCNHS, men tioned as Davao High School, was a recipient of a single government scholarship.

During this period, Domi nador Fernandez acted as the school’s officer-in-charge. He was later replaced by Ad olfo Casanova Cascolan, a UP

Bachelor of Arts graduate, Batch 1917, as full-fledged principal.

By 1928, according to the Eighteenth Annual Report of the President of the Uni versity of the Philippines to the Board of Regents, DCN HS, one of those qualified to take the admission test at the state-run institution, had twenty-three applicants but only five passed the entrance exam, i.e., one for Junior Col lege and four, for Liberal Arts.

In the 1931 Annual Report of the Director of Forestry of the Philippine Islands, Davao High School was cited as one of the institutes that joined the annual Bird and Arbor Day led by the district forest er. A forest ranger was also chosen to take part in a simi lar event hosted by the Davao Elementary School, now Ka pitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Central Elementary School.

DCNHS’ contribution to the national literary scene during the prewar and Com monwealth periods is essen tially a forgotten achieve ment. Geronimo D. Sicam, an English faculty in the highschool institution, was instru mental in molding a number of students whose works were later carried by the Philippine Magazine, among them Silvestre L. Tagarao and Vicente Generoso.

Gen. Trias, Cavite-born Tagarao, who published po ems while still a DCNHS se nior student, wrote ‘Super stition’ (1938) and ‘Sunrise’ (1941), later included in an anthology. Zamboanga-born Generoso penned an amus ing story titled ‘Sister Takes Me to a Dance’ (1934). For his part, Sicam authored the popular book ‘Prize-winning Declamation Pieces, Poems and Plays’ (1965).

Five decades have passed since the martial law years.

Those who experienced pain and suffering passionately re member the harsh memories and are forever etched in the ep itaphs of their minds.

Can’t b;ame them.

We should respect this mind set because they reflect a facet of Philippine history where a na tion firmly prides itself on.

How often has it been said that those who do not remember the mistakes of the past are cer tainly going to repeat the same.

I pray I do not digress.

But can we make a parallel ism?

The US Civil War in 1861 when the North fought the South over the institution of slavery

saw Americans killing fellow Americans.

Eleven southern states left the Union to form the Confeder ate States of America to fight the United States of America.

More than 620,000 men were killed in the four-year civil strife.

Out of this bloody and vi olent conflict emerged an un paralleled patriotic fervor that Americans continue to cherish and reflect in their lives today.

Because of the painful and traumatic lessons, Americans have put forth a national con sciousness that democracy is the best form of government on this planet.

Because it is a government “of the people, for the people and by the people.”

More than just being our colonizers for more than forty years, the Americans - without sounding subservient but more factual - taught and shared with Filipinos what freedom and de

mocracy are all about.

Maybe, in the course of time, Filipinos have misinterpreted the true meaning of these two terms.

Because when their free doms were threatened and de mocracy was on the verge of falling into the wrong hands, political leaders of that era mis handled the affairs of the nation and had only their own selfish interest to protect and preserve.

Instead of seeking to uni fy a highly polarized country, politicians - in effect - stood by to watch the “parade” that was passing by.

In contrast, Abraham Lin coln - the major reason he was dubbed “The Great Emancipator - fervently sought the Confed eracy to go back and re-join the United States.

(After the war, the US Con stitution was amended, freeing the slaves and granting them the assurance of “equal protection under the law” for American cit

izens, and to give black men the right to vote.)

In a dedication speech at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Lin coln declared three things: One, “that these dead shall not have died in vain”; Two, “that this na tion under God shall have a new birth of freedom”; and Three, “that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Beautiful, aren’t these?

Today’s contemporary gen eration - I have observed - seem to be more detached than at tached to the melancholic rem iniscences of the martial law years.

After all, - I hear this frequent rationalization from their youth ful ranks - they saw the light of day when a global technological boom has given them the tools to search, acquire and re-search knowledge that were before only verbally told and re-told by

their predecessors, parents, tu tors and all.

“Move on,” is a two-word popular phrase that is now the fancy of the times.

The pragmatic meaning has a positive connotation because it is not a hard sell pitch that cannot be understood.

It is simple.

Even an elementary pupil will comprehend its meaning in its basic form.

We are now in the 21st cen tury where AI (artificial intelli gence) and the use of robotics - the branch of technology that deals with the design, construc tion, operation and application of robots - are swiftly and rapid ly advancing.

I think I echo the youths’ in terpretation of “moving on” as something like this: They will not dwell on the sad past and let it unduly mix into their pres ent lives. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

“The past is but the beginning of a beginning, and all that is and has been is but the twilight of the dawn.” - H.G. WELLS

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Power Mac Center’s ‘Portraits’ fete eco-conservation, Filipino drag culture

Apple Premium Re seller Power Mac Center (PMC) is no stranger to celebrating communities with unique stories wait ing to be shared. This was the inspiration for “Por traits,” a special visual sto rytelling series created in collaboration with Filipino photographers showcasing the camera prowess of the iPhone.

“Power Mac Center rec ognizes the power of the platform we are given, us ing the technology that we have, to put the spotlight on communities with import ant advocacies. We put this series together not only to lend a face and voice to our subjects, but to inspire our audience to use their tal ents, pursue their passions, and make their mark, with the help of their favorite Apple devices,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director of Product Management and Marketing.

The communities

The episodes of Por traits juxtapose two ex tremes — the quiet calm of Masungi Georeserve’s eco-conservationists against the unapologetical ly flamboyant drag queens of Butterboy Bakehouse. The contrast deliberately showcases the lengths to

which iPhone photogra phy stretches, effectively catering to every subject in between.

Featuring the fabulous drag queens Naia, Drag Race Philippines contes tant Precious Paula Nicole, and Pura Luka Vega, the latest episode was shot on iPhone by photogra pher Cru Camara who has worked with internation al publications and global brands. It was set against the backdrop of Butterboy Bakehouse, which offers both delectable homemade croissants and entertaining performances during day light drag or what they call as “drag brunch” and “me riendrag.”

Earlier, PMC tapped conservation photogra pher and filmmaker Noel Guevara to take the iPhone on a hike, along with the rangers of Masungi Geore serve and three city-based hikers who find sanctuary in nature. Scaling the ver dant trails of the protected forest, they shared stories of their memorable climbs, confessed to what (or who) inspired their first hike, and reflected on the fulfill ment they find in hiking.

Shot on iPhone Conservation pho tographer Guevara made

sure to capture every sig nificant moment of the climb. Through stunning photos and videos shot on iPhone, he gave justice to the Masungi staff’s de cades-long conservation efforts and hard work to achieve a balanced coex istence of man and nature in this little piece of para dise.

In this project, Cru— who is known for their photographs that express creative play of colors, con trast, and shadow—exam ines identity and the way femininity and masculinity co-exist.Armed with their iPhone, they were able to capture the vibrant drag scene as the queens trans formed into larger-thanlife characters, aimed at making drag mainstream in Philippine culture.

Both photographers’ expert grasp of the envi ronment and the lenses’ inner workings exuded their visual storytelling talents, highlighting key iPhone camera features. To see the photos and watch the full stories of Portraits unfold, visit https://bit. ly/3S53a3M and subscribe to PMC on YouTube.

iPhone 14 Philippine launch

Portraits is part of Pow

er Mac Center’s iPhone for All campaign, which aims to bring the iPhone closer to more Filipinos. By ex tending exciting offers, and creating great shopping experiences, PMC makes it easier for all to finally up grade to an iPhone.

Customers looking to get the much-anticipat ed iPhone 14 series are encouraged to fill out the survey form at https://bit. ly/3S17ocN to be notified when the devices hit local shores. Meanwhile, other iPhone series are available

for purchase at all Power Mac Center or The Loop branches, Viber Store, Lazada, and Shopee.

To be updated on news and promotions, follow Power Mac Center’s official Facebook, Instagram, Twit ter, and TikTok accounts.

BTS’ ‘Yet To Come’ reborn as Hyundai version for Goal of the Century World Cup

Hyundai Motor Compa ny announced that it will re lease “Yet To Come (Hyun dai Ver.)” with BTS for the ‘Goal of the Century (GOTC)’ World Cup campaign song. The song will be released on September 23, 2022, 18:00 KST (05:00 EDT) through streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, along with a full music vid eo on Hyundai’s official You Tube Channel.

“Yet To Come (Hyundai Ver.)” is a British rock re mix version of BTS’ “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment),” which emphasiz es the climax to deliver the cheering message for ‘Goal

of the Century’ and anticipa tion toward the World Cup.

“As one of the most in fluential global artists in the world, BTS and their music greatly influence our society to develop in a positive di rection. Through the World Cup campaign with BTS, we hope to create an opportu nity for people all over the world to unite towards one goal of sustainability and cheer each other up,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company

The campaign song uti lized the original lyrics and added lines such as “Now the vision is clear, the Goal

of the Century is here”. Plus, the song is also filled with lyrics such as “I know, to gether, we’ll make it better” and “We’re gonna run till a new tomorrow” in hopes to create a better future to gether.

The campaign mes sage is also conveyed in the one-minute preview of mu sic video, which was pre-re leased today, showing BTS’ GOTC campaign song deliv ered all around the world by people singing it together in the stadiums. The film visu alizes the world that Hyun dai wishes to create through the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, expanding the solidarity

of those united together in football to achieve the ‘Goal of the Century.’

In addition, the official music video depicts Hyun dai’s future aspiration to transform into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider by featuring Spot® from Boston Dynamics, AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) flying into the skies of the city, and IONIQ 5 and ION IQ 6 traveling throughout the city.

In an effort to spread the message further, Hyundai Motor will launch a TikTok challenge #TeamCentry12 on October 1 for the global fans to enjoy via Hyundai’s

official TikTok account (@ Hyundai_worldwide). The #TeamCentury12 chal lenge illustrates the Goal of the Century’s solidarity message through a simple dance move that shows a shoulder-to-shoulder ac tion.

The company launched its global sustainability campaign ‘Goal of the Cen tury’ on April 22 in line with Earth Day for the up coming 2022 FIFA World Cup™. The campaign is part of the company’s continu ing mission to achieve car bon neutrality by 2045 at all stages of its production and operation.

To drive the campaign, Hyundai Motor introduced ‘Team Century,’ a group of ambassadors that will pro mote various environmen tal and social sustainability projects throughout 2022.

Former England national team player Steven Gerrard is leading ‘Team Century,’ joined by BTS, Denmark national team member and surgeon Nadia Nadim, American fashion designer Jeremy Scott, contempo rary Italian artist Loren zo Quinn, documentary photographer and visual storyteller Nicky Woo, and

Boston Dynamics’ Spot® robot.

Hyundai also an nounced that Ella Mills, a renowned British food writer and founder of Deli ciously Ella, and Alex Mor gan, an American profes sional football player and FIFA Women’s World Cup™ champion, have joined as the 10th and 11th mem bers of Team Century and plan to promote the cam paign in their respective markets. Furthermore, Nicky Woo plans to hold a photo exhibition on the subject of sustainability at Hyundai Motorstudio during the World Cup as a part of a team member’s campaign activity. As such, a total of 11 Team Century members are actively tak ing part in the World Cup campaign in their respec tive fields.

To watch the full ver sion of the music video, please visit Hyundai Mo tor’s official YouTube chan nel at www.youtube.com/ HyundaiWorldwide.

To learn more about ‘Goal of the Century,’ ‘Team Century,’ or Hyundai’s sus tainability agenda, please visit www.hyundai.com/ worldcup.

What it feels like to be on top of Davao

By NEIL BRAVO

First there’s the view— the tallest in Davao’s sky line—which provides for the best ever 360-degree scenery of the beauty that is Davao.

Then there’s the fresh, new upscale lifestyle it of fers.

All that is the promise delivered by Aeon Towers.

The moving spectacle from Davao City’s future iconic real estate sky scraper Aeon Towers is as breath-taking as a master piece of art on moving can vas.

If you are one who loves the tranquillity of your own abode after a busy day in the office, this is your ideal mancave. From one side,

there is the island view—a view of the pristine blue waters of the Davao Gulf and the Island Garden City of Samal on the horizon where white sand beaches abound.

Now, if you are the fast-living city rat, a night creature who loves watch ing over your idea of Go tham City at night, this is your giant silver screen— the city’s flickering lights, images on LED billboards, cars cruising through the city streets.

Aeon Towers is the sig nature project of a home grown player in the real estate market that is truly Davao-born, Aeon Luxe Properties inc. (ALPI) has

very interesting business interests in the city before it ventured into real estate development.

Rooms on residen tial floors also feature the finest amenities and fur nishings while the green building concept is being observed in all aspects of its construction.

Among the fine fea tures of Aeon Towers is its Club Aeon on the sixth level which provides residents a place for convergence, wellness and physical fit ness workouts. It also has an adult and kiddie pool, a function hall and a confer ence room.

The full UV-protec tion glass-encased tower boasts of modern ame nities comparable to the best of the Southeast Asian region.

The skydeck on the 32nd floor features a breath-taking view of the city and the Davao Gulf.

To experience Aeon Towers, you don’t need to own a unit. You can sample it with its staycation offers and perhaps, decide.

LOW WATER PRESSURE TO NO WATER IN ALL CABANTIAN WSS AREAS DUE TO DLPC’S POWER INTERRUPTIONS

September 25, 2022

Davao City Water Dis trict advises the public of two schedules of low water pressure to no water on September 25, 2022 from 12:01 AM to 3:00 AM and from 11:00 PM of Septem ber 25, 2022 until 2:00 AM of September 26, 2022 in all areas served by Caban tian Water Supply System (WSS).

Specific affected areas are Communal, particu larly, D’Leonor Inland Re sort, Green Valley, Ilumina Estates Phases 1 and 2, Aspen Heights, Doña Trin idad Village, Blue Diamond Village, Catitipan HOA, Communal Road, Lower Cabantian HOA, Victors Subd., Communal Baran gay Hall, Communal Ele mentary School, Puroks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Upper Purok 4 (along Forestal Road), and Iglesia Retreat House; Cabantian, specifi cally, Cabantian Road (from Deca Homes to Cabantian Reservoir), Mountain View Village, Northcrest Subd., Suraya Homes, Cabantian Elementary School, Purok

32, Kasilak Village, Forest al, Arendain Village, RDL Staff House, Green Orchard Village I, II and III, Leonora Garden Heights, D’Achiev ers Village, Canaan Village, Purok 39, Dacudao Village I and II, Ananda Marga, Hi dalgo Subd., Amakan Vil lage, Deca Homes, Emily Homes Phases 1, 2, and 3, Chula Vista Subd., Remedi os Heights, Cecilia Heights Phases 1 and 2, Priscilla Estates Phases 1 and 2, Country Homes, Green land Subd. Phases 1 and 2, Harmony Subd., North town, portion of Ciudad de Esperanza particularly streets of Apple, Avocado, Cherry, Durian, Guyabano, Lanzones, Lime, Mabolo, Mangga, Mangosteen, and Melon, and areas adjacent to DCWD’s Cabantian Res ervoirs; and Indangan, par ticularly, Nueva Esperanza Village, Indangan Reloca tion, Anita’s HOA, Molave Homes Phases 1, 2, and 3, Hidalgo Homes, Celerina Heights, Adap Village, Mille nium Village, Lemon Village, Madradeco Village, Villa

Alevida Subd., Dasi HOA, Greenhills Neighborhood Assn. (Nagkahiusa Village), San Isidro Indangan, Sto. Niño Village, Saint Ignatius, Purok San Agustin, Purok San Andres, Purok San Ignacio, Purok San Isidro, Purok San Miguel, Purok Santiago, Purok Sta. Cruz, R. Gonzales HOA, and Mal agamot Street (from Pana can Production Well No. 6 to junction Cabantian-In dangan Road).

All production wells under DCWD’s Caban tian WSS will be affected by Davao Light and Power Company’s (DLPC) pow er interruptions on the said dates needed to facilitate the testing of power cables at their Buhangin Substa tion. Although the power cuts are shorter in duration, DCWD needs additional time for re-switching on of the affected facilities, pres sure build-up, and line deliv ery, thus the longer duration of water service interrup tions.

The DCWD manage ment asks for the under

standing and cooperation of would-be-affected cus tomers and advises them to store enough water prior to the schedules. Water supply may be restored earlier if DLPC’s works go smoothly or later if unforeseen prob lems arise.

DCWD conducts flush ing after service works are completed. However, once water is restored, custom ers are advised to open all faucets and allow water to run for at least two minutes. While doing this, do not drink tap water immediately. Water may be boiled as an additional safety precaution.

For the latest water service updates or any DCWD-related concerns, the general public may con tact DCWD’s 24-hour call center hotlines at 235-3293, 244-6767, 0927-798-8966, 0925-511-3293, or 0908441-0653 and chat support in the DCWD’s website (www.davao-water.gov.ph) or Facebook page (www. facebook.com/officialD CWD). (Katrina Belen R. Bongato)

Comelec revises BSKE calendar of activities

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has moved the filing of Cer tificates of Candidacy (COC) for the Baran gay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to the later part of October from the original schedule set on the first week of the month.

In a revised calendar of activities for the up coming polls released Thursday, the poll body approved the new filing period from Oct. 6 to 13 to Oct. 22 to 29, except for Oct. 23, which falls on a Sunday.

Candidates in the village and youth polls may file their COCs at the Office of the Election

Officer (OEO) in their city or municipality.

The date of filing pe riod of COC is stated in Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) 6679 in rela tion to Section 29 of RA 6646.

Also, the election period and start of gun ban have been moved from Oct. 6 to Dec. 12 to Nov. 6 to Dec. 20, 2022.

On the other hand, the Nov. 25 to Dec. 3 campaign period was maintained.

Voting hours on elec tion day will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The last day for the filing of candidates’ Statement of Contribu tion and Expenditures (SOCE) is on Jan. 4, 2023. (PNA)

higayon ang simex. Hindi lang school but also es tablishments within that area because you cannot predict someday kung asa mahitabo ang mga inci dents,” Sumagaysay said.

Sumagaysay said the simex aims to test or gauge the operational readiness of the security and safety units of Davao City and most importantly is the result of the interop erability response on ter ror attack.

“Anaa naman tay mga protocols but then again matud pa sa saying na “practice makes perfect.” Halos tanan scenario nahimo naman nato. Gi na-enhance nato ang in teroperability sa atong security units. Ang trend today kung makita mo sa mga international events ang mga incidents didto kining active shooting labi na sa western part. Naay latest incident I think in Europe kutsilyo ang giga mit,” he added.

He also said the si mex will also test the pre paredness of the CTTMO personnel because the

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in putting up LNG facilities and other infrastructure,” he added.

DOE said it approved six LNG terminal and re

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Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — currently in the US for a six-day work ing visit — said he could not see the Philippines in the future without US, its long-time ally, as its part ner.

In his remarks to Pres ident Joe Biden on Thurs day (US time) before their

traffic is expected to be heavy if there is a simex being conducted.

“Kung mugamit ta ug kalsada dinha nato ma test ang lihok sa CTTMO. Holistic ni na event. Kung naa man gamay na dis comfort sa katawhan diha pud nato makita ang par ticipation ug obedience nila in case pag-ingon sa CTTMO i-reroute nato siya. At least naka heads up nata gamay,” Sumagay say said.

It is also expected that the community will par ticipate by following in structions given to them during the simex.

“Ang amo na hangyo is gamay lang man ni nga panahon in preparation in case naay mga scenario. But knock on wood na dili nato magamit ni nga mga scenario. Kinahanglan na tanan scenario o insidente gina anticipate nato kay dili man mahibaw-an but then again kung prepare ta naa tay direction. Kan ing simex dili lang ni dapat solohon sa security dapat naay participation pud sa community,” he said.

14 for payment assess ment, pay the fee at the cashier to receive their official receipt of pay ment, proceed to win dow 12 to submit their documentary require ments, and wait for up to two days before securing their fare matrix/guide at Window 11.

While PUV operators may receive their copy of the new fare matrix, the fare increase will only be effective beginning Oct. 3.

“Hindi pinahihintu lutan ang mga PUV driv er na magtaas ng singil habang hindi pa epektibo ang fare increase (PUV drivers are not allowed to ask for the new fare while the fare increase is not yet in effect),” it said.

It reminded PUV op erators and drivers to

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Specialist Bernadette Bal amban said.

follow the regulations and policies stated in their PA, CPC, and Joint Administrative Order 2014-01.

It also called on the public to reach out to the LTFRB 24/7 hotline 1342 for any complaints or in quiries.

They may also send a message to the LTFRB official Facebook page or visit the official website of the LTFRB.

Last week, the LT FRB announced a fare increase for traditional and modern public utili ty jeepneys, public utility buses, taxis, and trans port network vehicle ser vices due to the contin ued rise in fuel prices.

A fare increase for UV Express units is still be ing discussed by the LT FRB. (PNA)

“Areas formerly known to be communist-infest ed are now thriving and enjoying their peaceful communities. With the accomplishments of the NTF-ELCAC, many prob lems in the geographically isolated and disadvan taged areas were resolved, which greatly helped in neutralizing the CPP-NPA,”

PRIMARY...

he added.

The NTF-ELCAC was created in December 2018 under Executive Order No. 70 of then President Rodri go Duterte.

It has been successfully providing social services to former rebels through the effective coordination of NTF-ELCAC member agen cies. (PNA)

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travel and tour services, Meetings, Incentives, Con ventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities and orga nizers, tourist transport operators, health and well ness services, restaurant/ food service and other

tourism-related establish ments.

In a video message, Tourism Secretary Christi na Frasco, hoped that the fair would help the fast recovery of the tourism in dustry of the country.

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sa applicants. Wala na gani pampamasahe daghan pa ug requirements,” he said.

gasification projects as of December 2021.

These projects are ex pected to be online from 2023 to 2025. (PNA)

Out of the 155 indica tors covering the 17 goals, only 60 can be measured for pace of progress using available data already be ing collected by the PSA, other government agen cies, the academe, and other statistics generating entities in the Philippines, she said.

hunger, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean en ergy, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.

Al-ag said he already dis cussed this with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (DCCCII) and the Davao Tourism As sociation (DATA).

“Atong gihangyo na ang qualifications sa mga job

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seekers atoang ipasayon nga maging applicable sa mga aplayan sa atoang job seekers,” he said.

Al-ag also asked the job seekers that once they get the job even, if they have no experience, they have to work over time to get the skills needed. By Maya M. Padillo

meeting, Marcos affirmed the Philippines’ ties with the US.

“We are your partners, we are your allies, we are your friends. And in like fashion, we have always considered the United States our partner, our ally and our friend,” Marcos said.

Based on that data up to April 2022, the Philip pines has only achieved the expected progress for this year in only 2 indicators. Data also showed that the Philippines has actually re gressed in efforts to hit 8 of the 17 goals, which are zero

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pine Information Agency Region 12, led by Region al Head Fryan Abkilan, to

But Balamban said the Philippines is on track to meet some indicators un der poverty, malnutrition, infant mortality, health cov erage, exposure to internet, women in managerial posi tions, and banked individu als.

“Many of them we are regressing, and many of them we really need to ac celerate our efforts,” she said.

to the farmers during the harvest, conveyed that the government will continue to support them through subsidies, lowering their production costs and in creasing their income.

According to PA GRO-DdO, more or less 400 bags of rice (65 ki lograms per bag) were

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Tamano.

discuss joint actions that can be undertaken to push the SEC agenda forward.

Last month, DITO said it reached a milestone of 12 million subscribers.

The telco however has

harvested yesterday (Sep tember 21, 2022) in two (2) model farms located in Brgy. Magading and Pangutusan. The remain ing unharvested hybrid rice model farm sites will follow in the last week of September and the first week of October this year.

(PR/Davao de Oro PIO)

also been embroiled in con troversies with its 2 main rivals over interconnection charges and fraudulent calls.

Bogdanovic traded to Pistons

Utah

continued to revamp its ros ter continued Thursday (Friday, Manila time) with the Jazz agree ing to send forward Bojan Bogdanovic to the Detroit Pistons for forward Kelly Olynyk and guard Saben Lee, accord ing to a person with knowledge of the trade.

Bojan Bogdanovic traded to Pistons

The person con

firmed the trade Thurs day to The Associated Press on condition of

anonymity because not all details — such as physicals and league approval — had been completed, which pre vented the deal from being announced by ei ther team.

Detroit will become the fifth NBA club for Bogdanovic. He aver aged 18.1 points for the Jazz last season in 69 games, all of them

starts, and has averaged 15.0 points in eight sea sons with Brooklyn, In diana, Washington and Utah.

Olynyk is also join ing his fifth team, after stints with Boston, Mi ami, Houston and the Pistons. He played in 40 games for Detroit last season, averaging 9.1 points.

Lee averaged 5.6

points in each of his first two NBA seasons, both with the Pistons. He ap peared in 85 games for Detroit, all but seven of them off the bench.

The move means that all but one of Utah’s regular starters from last season no longer are with the Jazz. Bog danovic had Utah’s second-highest scor ing average last season

behind Donovan Mitch ell, who was traded to Cleveland. The Jazz have also traded Rudy Gobert to Minnesota and Royce O’Neale to Brooklyn during this offseason.

The only player who started more than six games for Utah last season and is still on the Jazz roster is guard Mike Conley, who start ed 72 contests.

Ateneo head coach Tab Bald win speaks volumes of Brian Goorjian.

The 69-year old bench strat egist and his Bay Area Dragons literally rolled over a helpless Blackwater squad, 133-87 in their first outing in the PBA Com missioner’s Cup last Wednesday.

According to PBA records, the 46-point winning margin was the highest ever posted by a guest team in any PBA conference.

“He is one of the best…a rich caliber international coach who knows the Asian game very well,” added Baldwin of the Austra lian national coach who led the Boomers to a bronze medal finish in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Coming from Baldwin, Goorji an’s credentials may most proba bly ring a bell among SBP bigwigs.

He was named Coach of the Year by the China Basketball As sociation during the 2013-2014 season.

If the SBP guys are in a lookout for another very capable bench strategist that may help Gilas improve its performance in the world stage, they could try Goorjian and see if his credentials are not mere records on paper.

Gilas should have a full-time coach whose attention is devoted and focused solely on Gilas train ing and development.

Baldwin could not give up his college coaching job so he left Gilas.

Well, that was the story they wanted us to accept.

Anyway, just a rhetorical question: Suppose the BAD (Bay Area Dragons) capture the Com missioner’s Cup trophy, would this not put to shame the entire PBA officialdom?

I suppose it will.

Pinoy fans who lionize fan cied champion ball clubs like Sab Miguel, Ginebra San Miguel, TNt, Magnolia et al may shy away be cause a not too well known guest team took away the luster from local PBA teams.

Maybe I am going ahead with my story. That’s why I asked a rhetorical somewhat speculative question.

The 46-point massacre em barrassed not only Blackwater and the PBA but also the fans who witnessed the annihilation.

Goorijian made good use of his import in Myles Powell, a 6’2” former NBAer who exploded with 41 markers, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal like a one-man wrecking crew.

Of course, no one expected Blackwater to put up a decent showing. With a ragtag roster, not even the country’s best coach can steer Blackwater to safety.

Even then, fans do not deserve to pay good money to watch a lackluster matchup like the con test was between a newly-formed barangay unit against a visiting

Chinese pro team.

The Dragons have a 7’5” hulk ing center in Liu Chunxing who wore China’s national uniform in the FIBA Asia 2021 qualifiers.

Let’s see what happens next.

Goorjian and his BAD are a se rious challenge to the established fortunes of the PBA.

But even if BAD sent a fearful message in its initial game, bas ketball fanatics may yet expect down-the-wire finishes in the coming days.

After all, this is an import-lad en conference where every PBA club can strengthen itself with a 6”10 reinforcement. (Email feed back to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Bojan Bogdanovic is now a Piston. PHOTO: AP

INVITATIONALS

Obiena, Duplantis, other world-class vaulters to PH in 2023

The

Philippines’ world no. 3 pole vaulter EJ Obie na hatched the idea of bringing his world-class colleagues to the Philippines for an invitational competition in 2023.

Obiena has discussed the plans to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” To lentino.

Among those whom Obiena plans to invite are reigning world and Olympic champion Mondo Duplantis, world No. 2 Chris Nilsen, and 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist Thiago Braz.

“The objective is to bring them here after the outdoor season is over,” Obiena told Tolentino in one of their conversa tions since the world championships bronze medalist came back home for a vacation with his girlfriend, German long jumper Caroline Joyeaux, a week ago.

Tolentino readily agreed with Obie na’s idea and was quick to offer a famous spot in Tagaytay City as a potential ven ue.

“The Picnic Grove here could be an ideal venue,” said Tolentino.

The set-up, according to Obiena, will be similar to events in Europe -- a street venue where the runway, box, crossbars and landing area are all portable or col lapsible.

“With the Taal Volcano as backdrop, what more could you ask for—a worldclass pole vault action in one of the most picturesque tourist attractions in the country,” said Tolentino. “Every jump will be postcard-perfect.”

The European outdoor season ends in early September. With the Asian Games in Hangzhou set on the same month next year, Obiena and Tolentino are looking at late September or ear

ly October as a potential date for their planned invitational.

“The event will be a specta tor-friendly event, and it’s planned that it be sanctioned [by World Athletics],” said Obiena.

“It’s great for tourism and the Phil ippines will be in the international pole vaulting map,” added Tolentino. “It’s very doable despite next year’s busy schedule. It’s going to be a big event so we have to plan this carefully.”

The Philippine Sports Commission, now chaired by Noli Eala, would play a crucial role in the event, according to Tolentino, who also agreed with Obie na to bring in some three-dozen world class pole vaulters, both men and wom en.

“We are hoping to work with POC and PSC, it’s a mix collaboration,” said Obiena. “I would also love to see Hackett de los Santos experience and compete with the best athletes.”

Delos Santos won the silver medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam last May, where Obiena won his second gold.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, under new president Terry Capistrano, will also play a major role.

“This is going to be historic, that’s why I am pushing for it,” said Obiena, who also intends to encourage the PSC, local government units, and big busi ness to put up more pole vaulting ven ues around the country. “Pole vault is a standard competition so it’s doable.”

Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena (center) and his girl friend, German long jumper Caroline Joyeaux, with POC President Rep. Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino.

Handout photo