Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 198 | Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022

Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte switches the lights on of the Christmas tree and City Hall Christmas lights to signal the opening of the Pasko Fi esta sa Davao 2022 during the Dan-ag sa Pasko ug Pag-abli sa Pasko held at the Rizal Park in Davao City on Thursday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

MASKS OPTIONAL

Mayor Baste signs EO on optional face mask indoors, outdoors

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte signed the Executive Order (EO) on the optional wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings in support of the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Gipirmahan na nako ang EO supporting the Ex ecutive Order of President Bongbong Marcos nga op tional na ang pagsuot sa face mask indoor og out door,” said Duterte.

Wearing of face mask may now be optional, how ever, Duterte strongly en couraged Dabawenyos to still wear a face mask.

The said EO topped the list of the ordinances passed by the City Council this year.

The city government of Davao has adopted the EO of Marcos through Ex ecutive Order (EO) No. 43, Series of 2022, known as “An Order Adopting Presi dential Executive Order No. 03 Allowing The Voluntary

Wearing Of Face Masks In Outdoor Settings And Re iterating The Continued Implementation Of The Minimum Public Health Standards In Davao City During The State Of Public Health Emergency Relative To The COVID-19 Pandem ic” that was signed by Dute rte.

EO 43 cited Presidential Proclamation No. 57, series of 2022, of President Mar cos dated September 12, 2022, extending the State of Calamity in the country until December 31, 2022. As the President, issued Ex ecutive Order No. 03, dated September 12, 2022, which

provides the guidelines allowing t he voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings and reit erates the continued imple mentation of the minimum public health standards during the state of Public Health Emergency relative to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force issued Resolu tion No. 20 adopting the national guidelines during its meeting held on Sep tember 19, 2022.

EO 43 allows the vol untary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor ar FMASKS, P10

PH budget second most transparent in SE Asia

The Philippines se cured the second highest score in Southeast Asia for trans parency of budget docu ments in the 2021 Open Budget Survey.

Out of a total of 120 countries included in the survey, the Philippines placed 19th with a score of 68. In Southeast Asia, it ranked second to Indone sia.

The Philippines scored slightly lower than the 76 it got in 2019 due to the late publication of the mid-year review online.

OBS measures trans parency in terms of public access to information on how the central govern ment raises and spends public resources. It assess es the online availability, timeliness, and compre hensiveness of 8 key bud get documents using 109 equally weighted indica tors.

A transparency score of 61 or above out of 100 indicates a country is “likely publishing enough material to support in

formed public debate on the budget.”

Launched in 2006 by the International Budget Partnership (IBP), the Open Budget Survey is the “world’s only inde pendent, comparative, and fact-based research instrument” to measure aspects of governance and accountability through transparency, oversight and public participation.

In terms of public par ticipation, the Philippines scored 35 out of 100, the highest in Southeast Asia and higher than the global average of 14.

This category assesses the formal opportunities offered to the public for meaningful participation in the different stages of the budget process. It also examines the practices of the central government’s executive, the legislature, and supreme audit in stitution using 18 equal ly weighted indicators, aligned with the Global Initiative for Fiscal Trans parency’s Principles of

BOC Davao busts P1.8M smuggled cigarettes, van

Strengthened coordi nation between the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Davao and Philippine National Po lice (PNP), Davao de Oro Provincial Office confiscat ed 2,420 reams of “Gajah Baru” and “Canon” ciga

rettes and an Isuzu Travis Van both with a combined value of Php1.83 million at a checkpoint operation.

This is a result of the Port’s compliance to Cus toms Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz’s priority program to increase rev

enue collection by pre venting revenue leakages caused by smuggling of contrabands and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s eco nomic agenda in upholding public order and safety by safeguarding the public from harmful consumption

of unpermitted goods.

The items were imme diately turned over to the custody of the BOC, while the suspects were placed under the custody of the PNP, Region Office 11. The bureau will file charges against the suspects for

smuggling of illicit ciga rettes.

BOC Davao District Col lector, Atty. Erastus Sandino B. Austria already issued a Warrant of Seizure and De tention (WSD) against the smuggled items for violat ing Section 1113 in relation

to Section 117 and Section 400 of the Republic Act No. 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). The items were seized at a checkpoint in Brgy.

Poblacion, Maco, Davao de Oro on November 3, 2022.

Dabawenyos gather at Quezon Park to watch the Christmas 3D Wall Mapping that illuminates the Davao City Hall during the Dan-ag sa Pasko ug Pag-abli sa Pasko, the opening ceremony of Pasko Fiesta sa Davao 2022, in Davao City on Thursday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

Sara, Baste share message of forgiveness this Christmas

DepEd 11 eyes increasing support to private schools

The Department of Education 11 is planning to hike its support to private schools from the current P19-bil lion worth of funding as sistance.

The Davao Region has 1.39 million students en rolled in 2,701 schools, this is broken down into kindergarten 109,889; elementary 656, 525; ju nior high school 423,667; and senior high school 206,722. Of the total num ber of students 81% of them are studying in pub lic schools while 19% are in private schools.

“The absorptive ca pacity of DepEd public school system in Davao Region is 81% I’m talking of those enrolled in basic education and that’s kin dergarten to senior high school, 19% or represent ed by an absolute value of 152,000 are in private education,” DepEd-XI Regional Director Allan Farnazo said during the Dagyaw Townhall Session held on Nov. 29 at Ritz Ho tel in Davao City.

“Magkano ba ang in vestment ng gobyerno sa

private education dito sa region sasagutin ko ng di retsahan ang school year 2021-2022 para malaman ng lahat P19-billion ang investment ng gobyerno sa private education dito sa rehiyon at ito ay napa paloob sa EGASTPE (Ex panded Government As sistance to Students and Teachers in Private Edu cation), vouchers, JDPB (Joint Delivery Voucher Program) na mga pro grama,” Farnazo revealed the current government assistance to private schools in the region.

Another kind of gov ernment support is through the Private Ed ucation Associations Committee in the form of scholarship and trainings of private schools.

RD Farnazo said he is proposing to the Region al Development Council an increase in the gov ernment support which he bared will be from P19-billion to P30 billion for 2023.

“I have proposed for 2023 na taasan ito kaya yan ang dasal natin na

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Vice President Sara Duterte and May or Sebastian “Baste” Duterte shared a message of forgiveness this Christ mas season.

In his message during the opening of Pasko Fiesta sa Davao 2022, the mayor urged Dabawenyos to set aside differences and mis understandings with the parents, siblings, and fel low Dabawenyos.

“Ang importante lang kaayo specially for the spirit of Christmas and this

yuletide season ang buot pasabot ana usahay kina hanglan ta mag extend sa atoang pagsabot sa isig katao, naa tay ginagmay nga away sa atoang mama ug papa ug mga igsoon, karong December o Pasko puwede nato na kalimtan. Timan-I ninyo dapat mali payon ta karong Christ

mas,” he said.

On her end, the Vice President said Christmas is a celebration of loved ones and forgiveness.

“Tandaan po natin na ang Pasko ay para sa ating mga mahal sa buhay at ang Pasko ay para po sa pagpa patawad. Hindi importante na hindi malaki o magar bo ang ating celebration ng Pasko. Ang importante po ay masaya tayo at ma saya ang ating mga mahal sa buhay at ating pamilya at mahanap natin sa puso

natin na magpatawad sa mga tao na gumawa ng mali o may kasalanan sa atin. Yan talaga yung tema ng pasko— pagmamahal, pagpapatawad, pagbibigay, kindness. Yan din yung message natin sa ating mga kababayan dahil ang pa nanawagan natin ay unity kaya meron ding kalakip yon ng pagpapatawad hin di lang sa pulitika but even sa personal lives natin— working together with our neighbors, with our office

FSARA, P10

NCCC cements presence with new supermarket, dept store at Vista Mall

NCCC expanded its footprint in Davao City by opening its NCCC Supermarket and NCCC Department Store at the Villar-owned Vista Mall in Mintal, Davao City slated on December 15, 2022.

The supermarket and department store outlets were developed through a joint venture between NCCC and Vista Mall.

“Part of the property of Vista Mall is owned by

NCCC. Instead of opening our own there kasama kasi sa JV na kami ang mag-op erate ng supermarket and department store,” said Lafayette Lim, CEO of NCCC Group of Companies.

Jezza Joy Damada, AVP for Operations of LTS Re tail Specialist Inc, said the supermarket, which has a total area of 2,800 square meters, is a full supermar ket while the department store will be complementa

ry to Vista Mall.

“What you see in NCCC VP is also available in NCCC Vista. The NCCC Depart ment Store will be compli mentary with what is being offered by Vista Mall. The usual quality and afford able that you see in our department store would also be seen at NCCC Vista,” Damada said.

NCCC will also open HB1 pharmacy at the sec ond and third floors of Vis

ta Mall on the same day.

NCCC has also opened a McDonald’s franchise in Vista Mall.

“We are grateful that despite the circumstanc es we’ve faced during the pandemic, we can still con tinue to provide our shop pers with service from the heart. We continue to sup port and give back to the community through our several shopping projects,”

NCCC Group of Companies chief executive officer Lafayette Lim (center), together with assistant vice president for Operations Jezza Joy Damada (right) and Marketing Promotions manager Cherry Mae Camahalan, an nounces during a presser on Thursday afternoon several updates in time for the company’s 44th anniversary

celebration. Lim bared the upcoming opening of NCCC Supermarket and NCCC Department Store and at Vista Mall in Mintal on December 15. Lean Daval Jr.

Foreign firms target $128-B investments in PH by 2030

The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC)—led by foreign in dustry leaders—has hiked its foreign direct investments (FDIs) to $128 billion by the end of 2030, even as data from the central bank indicate four straight months of declines.

The JFC said it said it hiked the $50-billion FDI target announced in 2020, as it already reached $78 billion, which it seeks to in crease by another $50 bil lion in the next eight years.

“We set the target at 50 (billion dollars) and it’s

not 78 (billion dollars), so make a total of 128 (bil lion dollars) by the end of 2030,” American Chamber of Commerce of the Philip pines (AmCham) Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe told reporters.

“Anything is gonna

be achievable because of the— especially in the last year—performance by the legislative - the Public Ser vice Act, the retail trade bill,” he added.

Former President Ro drigo Duterte in March signed a law amending the Public Service Act, effec tively allowing foreigners to fully own public services such as telecommunica tions and railways, among others.

He also approved amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, which removed the catego

rization of enterprises, and cut down the minimum paid-up capital of foreign retailers to P25 million from $2.5 million.

Among the sectors American businesses are looking at expanding into in the Philippines include energy, especially nuclear and green energy, technol ogy, electronics, and agri culture, which are likely to be seen by mid-2023.

“One project alone could easily be a billion pe sos and then you add three or four of those up,” Hinch

IMF chief warns of bigger chance world growth drops below 2%

IMF chief Kristalina Geor gieva warned Thursday that the chance of global growth dropping below two percent -- last seen during the coronavirus outbreak and the global fi nancial crisis of 2009 -- is increasing as major econo mies slow.

Her comments come as the world’s biggest econ omies grapple with fallout from Russia’s invasion of

Ukraine, which sent food and energy prices soaring, along with a surging in flation and a slowdown in China.

“The probability of growth slowing even fur ther, falling below two per cent was one-in-four,” said Georgieva at the Reuters NEXT conference Thurs day, referring to the fund’s recent expectations for 2023.

“When we look at the most recent indicators, we are concerned that this probability may be going a bit further up,” she added.

The International Mon etary Fund expects more than a third of the global economy to shrink this year or next, with the Unit ed States, European Union and China stalling.

It is also concerned about a “simultaneous

slowdown in the US, in Europe and in China,” said Georgieva, adding that slowing growth in China is particularly significant.

This is worrying giv en that the world has re lied on China for a boost, with “some 35, 40 percent of global growth” com ing from expansion in the world’s biggest second economy.

Manufacturing posts uptick in November performance

The country’s manu facturing sector has logged an uptick in its November performance, the S&P Global manufac turing purchasing manag ers index (PMI) reported Thursday.

The records showed the manufacturing PMI improved to 52.7 from last month’s 52.6.

An index above 50 signals improvement in the manufacturing sector while below the neutral score means deterioration.

The uptick was linked to greater demand con ditions that led to higher sales and output, PMI said, adding that the output and new orders growth rates last month were the high est since June of this year.

“The improvement across the sector primar ily stemmed from greater demand conditions which drove higher sales and output,” S&P Global Mar ket Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch said.

The report added that domestic demand support ed Philippine-based facto

ries in November, as new orders from foreign mar kets continue to decline since March. However, the contraction last month was softer than the decrement in October.

Filipino manufacturers also increased purchasing inputs in November in an ticipation of higher orders in the coming months.

The S&P also noted the decline in the work back logs due to improved pro duction efficiency.

On the other hand, surveyed manufacturers recorded a decline in head count that ended the series of job creation in May this year.

Resignation among employees was one of the common reasons cited for the fall in workforce num bers, the S&P report added.

Inflationary pressures remained elevated, with input prices increased last month due mainly to high er energy costs and peso depreciation.

Factories passed on the increasing costs to clients

As they always do every Thursday, vendors flock to Maitum town in Sarangani to sell vegetables on December 1, 2022. Photo courtesy of BETH RAMOS

PCA allots P250-M coco levy fund for Region 11

velopment Academy of the Philippines.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it is considering lifting the ban on the sale of pampa no (pompano) and pink salmon in wet markets.

“We are considering the [lifting] of the mora torium,” Agriculture Dep uty Spokesperson Rex Estoperez said in an in terview with reporters on Thursday.

Estoperez said the agency took into consid eration the ” clamors from legislators and the con sumers.”

The Bureau of Fisher ies and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), last week, said it will start to confiscate im ported pampano and pink salmon being sold in wet markets beginning in De cember as it is prohibited under the BFAR Fisheries Administrative Order No. 195.

The bureau said pam pano and pink salmon can only be sold to institution al buyers including hotels, restaurants, and compa

nies in the canning and processing industries.

Estoperez said the DA scheduled with the BFAR to discuss its Administra tive Order No. 195 and “other regulations per taining to that.”

He said a decision will be made before the BFAR begins confiscating imported pampano and salmon on December 4.

The DA official said the agencies will review the policy to see if it is still relevant.

“Iba na ang panahon ngayon, baka pwede natin i-amend or improve ang mga batas natin,” Estope rez said.

(Our time is differ ent now, maybe we can amend or improve our laws.)

“Definitely, we have to balance the clamor of the consumers and the im porters,” he said.

On Tuesday, Senators urged a review of the BFAR’s order, calling it “anti-poor” and “discrim inatory.”

In a press briefing Thurs day, Roel Rosales, PCA-11 deputy administrator, said the amount was sourced out from the PHP5-billion Coconut Farmers and Indus try Development Program (CFIDP) fund for this year.

Rosales said the amount was taken from the PHP75 billion coco levy fund that will be distributed to an es timated 2.5 million coconut farmers in the country.

“The interventions from

other agencies are not yet included (in that amount). They are about to start the rollout next year because we started [the rollout) late,” he said.

Approved in June this year, the enactment of Re public Act 11524, or the “Co conut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act”, tasked the PCA to develop the coco nut industry, and led to the crafting of the CFIDP in collaboration with the De

The CFIDP serves as the basis for the use of the coco levy fund through various programs and projects that would consolidate the ben efits and ensure increased income for coconut farmers and farm workers, allevi ate them from poverty, and achieve social equality and competitiveness.

“The intent here is to bring it to the farmers, that’s why we launched the first CFIDP rollout in Davao Ori ental. We are trying to bring the message that the ser vices are now made avail able for our coconut farm ers in the region,” Rosales

explained.

He also urged the pri vate sector to collaborate with government agencies to further help the coconut farmers.

“We need the help of the private sector in terms of marketing, and we need the micro, small and medi um enterprises to have good prices for our local prod ucts,” Rosales said.

Juvy Alayon, PCA-11 re gional manager, noted that in Region 11 alone, around 300,000 hectares of land are planted with coconut trees.

Alayon said the region produces around 2.5 million metric tons of coconut every month. (PNA)

BIR exceeds Oct collection target

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday said it surpassed its October 2022 collection goal by 1.48 percent as rev enues hit PHP186.759 billion.

In a statement, the agency, which is tasked to collect around 70 percent of government revenues,

said its revised goal for the 10th month this year amounts to PHP184.03 billion.

“Compared to the BIR’s October 2021 ac tual collection (net of a tax refund), the October 2022 net tax collection of PHP186.759 billion is higher by 15.20 percent or PHP24.644 billion,” it

said.

BIR’s October 2021 collections reached PHP162.115 billion.

As of end-October this year, the agency’s collec tions reached PHP1.919 trillion.

BIR said the yearto-date revenues are higher by 12.56 per cent, amounting to

PHP214.213 billion, against its collections same period in 2021 amounting to PHP1.705 trillion.

“Said collections rep resent more than 97 percent attainment of the BIR’s revised goal of PHP1.974 trillion for the said period,” it added. (PNA)

The Philippine Coconut Authority in Davao Region (PCA-11) has allotted around PHP250 million worth of in tervention for the coconut farmers’ startup services in the area.

DA mulls lifting ban on sale of imported salmon, pampano in markets: official

Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Secretary Leo Tereso Magno; Department of Tourism OIC Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso; DOT 11 director Tanya Rabat-Tan; Mati City Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat; Davao City Councilors Al Ryan Alejandre, Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz and Bernard Al-ag; Mindanao De

velopment Authority (MinDA) executive director Janet Lipoz and other officials lead the opening of DOT’s Kaon Ta, Kain Pa! Food Tripping Christmas at the activity center of Abreeza Mall in Davao City on Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

you again for helping us with this Presidential Library. Your passion and dedication in promoting learning and researching for our youth and future leaders are indispensable tools in nation-building. Our libraries are here to stay. Library serves as a haven for students, researchers, members of the academe, and practically everybody, rich or poor [people] who want to know more about our history and our country.”

On the opening of the Presidential Library Project: FIRST LADY LOUISE “LIZA” ARANETA-MARCOS

JASPER

V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations

JOCELYN

GREGORIO

MAYA

MOSES

“Thank

Although Ramon Magsay say Jr. failed in his bid to return to the Senate after an absence of six years (he had previously served two consecutive terms that ran from 1995 to 2007), he showed what a real statesman was.

“I congratulate the 12 men and women in whom our coun trymen have placed their trust as senators of the republic. I wish them well as they take on their role as servant leaders,” said Magsaysay in a statement. “I have high hopes that each of them will adhere to the highest standards of integrity, account ability and public service, which their critical office demands and the Filipino people deserve.”

Instead of showing defi ance in losing the senatorial election, Magsaysay displayed what a victorious person should do: magnanimity. “I did not lose, rather we gained from the opportunity to do what we thought was good for our country,” he said.

“I sincerely thank everyone who helped in my campaign,

whose faith, dynamism and gen erosity sustained me every step of the way,” he added. “It is God’s will that I remain in private life, but I will continue to serve our country and people even as an ordinary citizen.”

Magnanimity comes from the Latin roots magn which means “great” and anima, meaning “soul.” The virtue of being great of mind and heart, magnanimity encompasses, usually, a refusal to be petty, a willingness to face danger, and actions for noble purposes.

Magnanimity’s antithesis is pusillanimity (the vice of being timid and cowardly, and thus not living up to one’s full poten tial). Both terms, however, were coined by Greek philosopher Aristotle, who called magna nimity “the crowning virtue.”

In Tagalog, magnanimity can be translated as kadakilaan or kagandahang-loob.

Ancient Greek philosopher Democritus, known in antiquity as the “laughing philosopher” because of his emphasis on the value of “cheerfulness,” ex plained that “magnanimity con sists in enduring tactlessness with mildness.”

As an adjective, the concept is expressed as “magnanimous,”

that is, “He is a magnanimous person.”

“What does magnanimity look like applied to daily life?” asked C. Joybell C. “How can you be magnanimous every day? Well, it looks like resisting the urge to take offense in other people’s lives and in their words or actions (people are not fash ioned for your feelings); it looks lie not having to launch an emo tional reaction (you are not just a tall toddler with inferiority is sues); it looks like letting people go more easily that they thought you could (you have time for ore important things other than their tactics). It looks like tread ing lightly but thundering gen tly. That’s magnanimous.”

If you are still at loss as to what magnanimity means, here is a story taken from Ours is the Faith by Walter D. Cavert to prove our point. It’s an anec dote on the life of Peter Miller, a pastor of a little Baptist church in Ephrata, Philadelphia, during the American Revolution.

Miller was well-liked by the people – except for one person who scorned all religion and opposed the church on every issue. No friend of the American Colonial cause, this man had been arrested for treason and

sentenced to die.

What happened next was magnanimity in action. Cavert wrote: “The minister walked 60 miles to plead with George Washington for the man’s par don. Regretfully, the general shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, but I cannot grant your request to spare your friend.’

“Quietly, Miller replied, ‘My friend? He is my worst enemy.’

“Amazed, Washington ex claimed: ‘What! You have walked all this distance to save an enemy? Then how can I do other than pardon him!’”

Magnanimity, contends British novelist C.P. Snow, is a “major virtue which at any level sweetens life, and at the highest glorifies it.”

American pastor Harry Em erson Fosdick points out, “No man ever saved anybody, or served any cause, or left any enduring impression, who was not willing to forget indignities, bear no grudges. The world’s saviors have all, in one way or another, loved their enemies and done them good.”

One form of magnanimity is the generosity of the victor to the defeated. Take the case of John D. Rockefeller, who was known for his amazing business

success in the United States. He had also a greater reputation among those who knew him well “as a man who was un derstanding.” He had a sincere appreciation for other people and was willing to accept failure if an honest attempt had been made at success.

When one of his partners, Edward T. Bedford, failed in a business venture, which cost Rockefeller’s company a million dollars, Rockefeller responded with a statement that has be come classic in business lore.

Rockefeller didn’t criticize Bedford because he knew he had done his best. He called Bedford to his office. “I think it is honorable that you were able to salvage 60% of the money you invested in the South Amer ican venture,” he reportedly told him. “That’s not bad; in fact, it’s splendid. We don’t always do as well as that upstairs.”

That elevation or dignity of soul, which makes him delight in acts of benevolence, and prompts him to sacrifice per sonal ease and interest for the accomplishment of useful and noble objects. That is how Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the American Language defines magnanimity.

Santa Cruz, home to the Bagobos, was also known for another tribal village leader who led the convivial welcome of the climbing team that con quered Mt. Apo on October 10, 1880. Prior to this, two tries made by Don Jose Oyanguren in 1852 and by Señor Real in 1870 failed.

The third expedition in cluded Davao district gover nor Joaquín Rajal y Larré, a Spaniard, and a number of foreign scientists. To climb Mount Apo, the group chose the Santa Cruz trail where Datu Mani was chief. He greet ed them, showed hospitality, and toured his houses.

Gov. Rajal, in his book ‘Ex ploración del territorio de Davao’ (1891), described the Bagobo chief, who was fun of rising his favorite mount, when they first saw and met him:

“[Datu Manib] was rid

ing a beautiful horse and was armed with all weapons, lean ing gracefully on his long spear. It looked like an equestrian statue mysteriously placed at the bot-tom of the tunnel of branches; motionless and rig id, it doubtless awaited our ar rival… we dis-tinguished in de tail his charming figure, which by his gesture and attitude did not seem dis-posed to harass us… was morbid and slen der in form and apparently of strong and robust complexion to the highest degree, of mark edly Malay type, and a man of 45 to 50 years of age; his raised head denoted the seriousness of his actions, the decision, and energy of charac-ter.”

Because the datu could only speak Bagobo, the team enlisted an interpreter. The chieftain was unusually silent while the crew followed him on his horse. His left side was protected by a shield while

DATU MANIB OF SANTA CRUZ

his right hand held a lance, not turning even once to his visitors while negoti-ating the trail leading to his first house, a dwelling surrounded by ver dant foliage. It was only after alighting from his mount that he started greeting pleasantly the visitors.

Remarkably warm, Datu Manib, who had two wives, toured the guests to his barns that resembled in appearance to small houses. Inside them were the bountiful harvest of rice, corn, and fodder; there were also large beehives of wax inside. He later presented the guests with drinking wa ter mixed with honeybees to quench everybody’s thirst.

It was Datu Manib himself who led the group in its first stage of the trip, displaying with-out bluster his horse manship, like descending a hollow so steep and rapid that the team had to dismount

from their horses for safety. Clinging to his horse, the gov ernor later wrote, the datu “descended like the genius of the desert, then gaining the opposite slope with the speed of a whirlwind. At every step, weedy undulations presented themselves, difficult to gain until reaching Sibulan, whose first houses were hidden in the steep forest like the nests of nightin-gales.”

Datu Manib’s second house was on a small plain covered by various palms; it stood on pillars of tree fern trunks fenced by reeds that preserved the cocoa and corn plantation and enclosed like a garden. The staircase had a kind of beam that split at inter vals. The house had only one elevated floor and had a room with a bed festooned with cur tains hanging like a canopy and erected on a platform. The house was assigned to the da

tu’s favorite wife.

Moreover, at one end of the room, occupying its en tire front wall, there was a cot made of boards on which all those who entered the open shelter rested in a tight bundle. In front of it, on the opposite side, was the hearth, a kind of box filled with earth, around which the slaves slept.

Hanging from the walls, as an ornament, were numerous weapons and guns embraced with reeds, stacks of plates, and cups of various kinds, whose quantity signified the opulence of the owners. In one corner there were rustic looms that, skillfully man aged by slaves and women, produced their usual native fabrics. Before the team left in earnest for Mount Apo with their guides, the datu, always cordial and modest, offered them a native wine.

“How we treat people defines humanity.” – Eliot Peper

ELIZABETH JOY S. QUIJANO: CHAMPIONING CAUSES OF WOMEN, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S GROUPS

Text by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Joy Quijano

North Cotabato’s Jun Saban and up start Mario Bulacan took the over all honors in the Bonifacio Golf tournament held to commemorate Bon ifacio Day on November 30, 2022 at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

“It means that any Blaan or IP girl can achieve their dream, they can be anybody they want to be. They can be singers, writ ers, artists. Although not all have the same privileg es, that’s why we who have little privileges, we need to step up and help others. We need to use our talents to call for positive change and social development. We need to call for social justice and leaders’ ac countability, do whatever you can, even if it’s a small thing (like writing for me) to help others and make their voices and stories get heard.”

Those words came from the mouth of Eliza beth Joy S. Quijano, who was declared winner in the arts and culture category during the Women of the Future Awards (Southeast Asia) held in Singapore.

Quijano bested other nominees like Singapore’s Si En Tan (managing direc tor, film and TV producer,

Momo Film Co.), Malaysia’s Lee Ching Ho (creative producer of Theatre for Young People, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center), Vietnam’s Anh Khong (singer and song writer, Khong Anh Music), and Malaysia’s Cheyenne Tan (filmmaker, Meralta Films).

It was a triumphant moment when her name was called as the winner.

“Elizabeth Joy is commit ted to capturing and pre serving her culture – to ensure her people and their stories are seen and valued,” the citation said.

“She is using her art to campaign for social justice and basic rights for mar ginalized indigenous com munities in Mindanao in the Philippines.

“She is not just an artist and writer, but a teacher, mentor and activist seek ing to bring about lasting change to government pol icy that tackles inequality,” the citation added.

In her Facebook ac count, she recounted when she got the award: “Before, it was just a dream to rep resent the Philippines. I couldn’t believe it would happen. I cried when my name was called. This was a testimony to how great God is.”

Quijano is a college in structor of the Southern Philippines Agri-business and Marine and Aquat ic School of Technology (SPAMAST). She is from Matan-ao, Davao del Sur. She is a B’laan. And she is a writer.

Some of her writings appeared in World Liter ature Today, Words With out Borders, UP Mindanao Benwa Journal, Shenando ah Literary Magazine, and Ulirat: Best Contemporary Stories in Translation from the Philippines.

Her first book, Dili Pwede Mogawas ug Ubang Sugilanon (which was translated into English by John Bengan), is a collec tion of short stories and was published by Ate neo de Davao University Press. It is considered the first book written by a Blaan-Ibaloy woman from Davao del Sur.

“The stories are raw,

unadorned, and tell of real conflicts and struggles,” wrote Dr. Maracio Tiu, a multi-awarded author, in the book’s foreword. “We are fortunate that Joy has chronicled the dynamics of the socio-economic and political changes that are taking place in her home town. Who was it who said that if you want to know the history of a place, read its literature? This is a per fect example.”

Quijano (she is mar ried to Jaypee Quijano) started her creative writ ing at 11 when she wrote her first poem. “I was a vo racious reader when I was a kid. I read encyclopedias, dictionaries, National Geo graphic magazines, and those books donated from the United States,” she re called.

“There were no cell phones then and I was kind of a nerd type kid so most of the time I read. My mother is a teacher and she bought or on credits a lot of books from people who sell books. She even collected Health and Home Books and magazines even if we’re not Seventh Day Adventists.”

She learned writing just by reading. “I read a

lot and thought I could try writing, too,” she said. “I started with personal jour nals then in high school I wrote feature stories and short stories for our school paper.”

Back then, Quijano really wanted to take creative writing but the course was not yet avail able in Davao City so she took up Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication in Holy Cross of Davao College. “I believed it was closer to creative writing,” she said.

When asked who her mentors were in writing, she replied, “I consider all of my teachers as my men tors and I had great teach ers. Huge thanks to them.”

But she had favorite writers. As a kid, she fol lowed and researched about Edgar Allan Poe, a famous American author and novelist. She also read Mary Higgins Clark, Lual hati Bautista, Bob Ong.

“I like stories that are relatable like Ongs works,” she admitted.

“Clark’s characters are also

more on women and the storylines are suspense ful. Bautista is of course very passionate on social issues,” she explained.

Quijano also read text books and got to read clas sic stories of Rogelio Sicat, Deogracias Rosario, Ama do V Hernandez, and Man uel Arguilla. “Textbooks before were very interest ing and available. Now we don’t have quality text books in public schools,” she lamented.

When her parents ob served that their daugh ter had a talent in writing, they supported her. “My parents are very sup portive, like they didn’t interfere in my choices,” she said. “They let me (do what I wanted to do), but they guided me when I needed them during those difficult adolescent years. I was so blessed my parents provided me with the tools and time I needed to en rich my writing.”

She was 19 when she was impregnated by her

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Nickel Asia group expends some P8.5M worth of seedlings for greening programs in 2022

For 2022 alone, Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) records 234,823 trees planted within its mining camps and has donated 185,466 seedlings to the Depart ment of Natural Resources (DENR) in support of the government’s National Greening Program (NGP).

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., recently issued a challenge to plant more trees as one way of coun tering the threats of cli mate change. NAC proves to have been in on this year after year.

The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 obliges mining companies to plant 100 trees to replace every tree they cut due to their oper ations. This is part of the mining industry’s rehabili tation programs embedded in the Mining Act and the mining companies’ com mitment to the greening of communities where they operate.

Above and beyond what the law requires, NAC and its subsidiaries take serious participation in the NGP programs by gen erating seedlings, with the help of the communities, and donating thousands of them to DENR.

The past year has seen an increase of requests for seedlings for fruit-bearing trees which is much more expensive to generate as compared to seedlings for forest trees.

“The people in the com munities are more interest ed in fruit bearing trees to plant in NGP-identified ar eas,” says Jomer Tiamson, a forester and Envi Manager for Hinatuan Mining Corp., a subsidiary of NAC based in Tagana-an Surigao del Norte.

Tiamson explains that it further proves NAC’s com mitment to the greening programs because the cost of generating a seedling for a forest tree is P10 pesos each, while a seedling for a fruit tree costs P30 pesos.

According to Engr. Re medios Collado-Camo, NAC AVP for Industrial Safety/ OIC, Environment Sector, seedlings production is an important part of the oper ations of the mining compa nies under the NAC group.

“Propagation of seed lings is a complex respon sibility of the Environment Group of the NAC organi zation because we have a goal to produce enough seedlings to cover the hectares upon hectares of mined-out areas ready for rehabilitation plus there is our commitment to DENR’s NGP,” says Collado-Camo.

She adds, “for 2022 alone, we estimate some P8.5M worth of seedlings we disbursed to various greening programs and that is the definition of our commitment to the green ing of the communities and the nation”.

The nation’s literati gathered recent ly at the Marquis Events Place in Boni facio Global City as the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature is back on its 70th year. Recognized along with the night’s winners are the 63 authors, poets, academics, and other luminaries carefully handpicked from their respec tive areas of expertise to help determine which literary compositions deserved the much-coveted Palanca Awards.

Named after the businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the Palanca Awards is the longest-run ning literary competition in the Phil ippines and is considered as the gold standard in writing excellence. It serves to enrich Philippine Literature by giv ing incentives to writers and acting as a treasury of its literary gems.

The 70th Palanca Awards roster of judges for each division and category is as follows:

FILIPINO DIVISION

NOBELA

Dr. Genevieve L. Asenjo – TAGAPAN

GULO

Dr. Jun Cruz Reyes – Kagawad

Prof. Vim Nadera – Kagawad

MAIKLING KUWENTO

Dr. Luna Sicat-Cleto – TAGAPANGU

LO

Dr. Roland B. Tolentino – Kagawad

Dr. Efren R. Abueg – Kagawad

MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAM

BATA

Mr. Augie Rivera – TAGAPANGULO

Ms. Zarah C. Gagatiga – Kagawad

Ms. Glenda C. Oris – Kagawad

SANAYSAY

Dr. Pamela C. Constantino –TAG

APANGULO

Ms. Beverly Wico Siy – Kagawad

Mr. Niles Jordan Breis – Kagawad

TULA

Dr. Romulo P. Baquiran, Jr. – TAG

APANGULO

Mr. Alfonso S. Mendoza – Kagawad

Mr. Mikael De Lara Co – Kagawad

TULA PARA SA MGA BATA

Dr. Felicitas E. Pado – TAGAPANGU LO

Prof. Rolando S. Dela Cruz – Kagawad

Dr. Lalaine F. Yanilla-Aquino – Kaga wad

DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO

Dr. Glecy Cruz Atienza – TAGAPAN GULO

Dr. Nonilon V. Queano – Kagawad

Mr. Elmer L. Gatchalian – Kagawad

DULANG GANAP ANG HABA

Prof. Josefina F. Estrella – TAGAPAN GULO

Dr. Alexander C. Cortez – Kagawad

Ms. Ma. Teresa S. Jamias – Kagawad

DULANG PAMPELIKULA

Mr. Jeffrey Jeturian – TAGAPANGULO

Dr. Davir R. Corpuz – Kagawad

SHORT

POETRY Ms. Marra PL. Lanot – CHAIRMAN

Mr. Ruel S. De Vera – Member

POETRY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN

Dr. Carla M. Pacis – CHAIRMAN

Dr. Ani Rosa Almario – Member

Mr. Ramon C. Sunico – Member

ONE-ACT PLAY

KABATAAN DIVISION

The people in the mining communities participate in generating the seedlings

EDGEDAVAO

SARA ... FROM 3 MASKS...

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eas with good ventilation, provided that non fully-vac cinated individuals, senior citizens, and immunocom promised individuals are highly encouraged to wear

CITY...

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Public Participation in Fis cal Policies.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman welcomed the OBS results.

“We hope to fast-track our initiatives to digitize government processes and transactions through the implementation of the Integrated Financial Management Information System as well as the en actment of the progressive budgeting for better and modernized governance bill or PBBM bill which shall institutionalize the cash budgeting system,” Pangandaman said in a taped message.

“We are also commit ted to continue working towards an open and partic ipatory government as we chair the Philippine Open Government Partnership steering committee,” she added, noting that the DBM would study the feasibility of including OBS’ recommen dations in its processes.

De La Salle Universi ty political science and development studies professor Dr. Francisco Magno said the DBM can further strengthen public participation in the bud

NCCC...

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Damada said This year, NCCC opened NCCC Supermar ket in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat; HB1 Pharmacy

their masks, and physical distancing will be observed at all times.

“Congratulations sa atoa kay nakagawas na gyud ta sa pandemya,” Duterte said.

get process by expanding mechanisms during bud get formulation and im plementation.

He also urged the agency to engage any civ il society organization or member of the public who wishes to participate and encourage participation from vulnerable and un derrepresented commu nities, directly or through civil society organizations representing them.

Magno said that while Congress has established public hearings related to the approval of the annu al budget, it should also allow any member of the public or any civil society organization (CSO) to tes tify during its hearings on the budget proposal prior to its approval, among oth er recommendations.

DBM Assistant Secre tary Rolando Toledo said the DBM has introduced a CSO Desk that will serve as the focal unit of civil so ciety organizations for all budget-related concerns and data requests.

It is also integrating an annual budget utilization report for the projects and programs enrolled in the

mates, with our family,” she said during the ceremoni al lighting of the 42-foot Christmas tree at the city plaza in San Pedro Laguna.

Meanwhile, the mayor led the lighting ceremony of the giant Christmas tree and the city lights that il luminate the entire area of the City Hall.

The opening, which was graced by the officials of the city government of Davao, consulate officials, tourism stakeholders, representatives from the hotel industry and private sector, and the Dabawen yos at the Rizal Park on Thursday evening, sig naled that Davao City’s wonderful time of the

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“This is not the case now, it’s not going to be the case next year,” she said.

The IMF is set to give an update on its economic outlook in January, and it is among key global insti

year has begun.

Everyone who attended the opening couldn’t hide their joy because, after two years, Dabawenyos can cel ebrate Pasko Fiesta face-toface again.

The crowd was also treated to a 3D Mapping Christmas show at the City Hall. This will be played every night to delight Dabawenyos this Christ mas.

Carrying the theme “Dan-ag Davao ug Pag-Abli sa Pasko”, is a month-long celebration jam-packed with Christmas activities showcasing colorful light ing, joyous performances, and arrays of decorations in different areas of the city.

FOREIGN...

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“The biggest bang for the buck for me, I hope, would be something we could give more foreign direct investment into the agriculture sector — if it’s technology, if it’s machin ery, or what it might be in agriculture here in the Phil ippines,” he added.

Hinchliffe’s remarks were echoed by Austra lia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCHAM) Philippines vice president Bradley Norman, who also welcomed the recent eco nomic reforms.

inflows into the country fell by double-digits to $797 million in August, down for the fourth straight month.

“We’re not out of the woods on the supply chain, delivery times, semicon ductor chips, all of those play a big part,” AmCham’s Hinchliffe said, citing the impact of the ongoing con flict between Russia and Ukraine.

“There’s no question we’ll rebound from that. You see the optimism from our statement,” he added.

tutions to visit China next week for talks.

According to World Bank figures, the global economy slumped 3.3 per cent in 2020 and 1.3 per cent in 2009.

“The figures are, ob viously, they’re estimates based on one of the better expression a best guess, but what they do show is the optimism around the Philippines with the recent reforms and reforms that are still being undertaken by Congress,” Norman said in the same briefing.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), however, show that FDI net

For his part, Europe an Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) president Lars Wittig said the record seen in the past year indicates that the country continues to enjoy a good foundation.

“The foundation is ab solutely there, is more resil ient. FDI is more sustained business type of FDIs than in most other countries that we compare ourselves with, especially within ASE AN,” he said.

MANUFACTURING...

PH-Open Government Part nership National Action Plans, and reviewing the integration of a feedback mechanism in the Budget Preparation Form to help the CSOs be informed and understand how their in puts are being used in the formulation of an agency’s

DEPED...

in Digos City; and a sat ellite store at NCCC main Ramon Magsaysay Av enue in Davao City. By Maya M. Padillo

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mataasan para ma-in crease ang vouchers,” Far nazo said.

He added that not all private schools are as large as popular private

budget.

“The DBM Fiscal Open ness Action Plan shall re fer to the OBS indicators and will outline initiatives and strategies to harness budget transparency and public participation in the national budget process,” Toledo said.

as S&P observed an incre ment in output prices.

“As the manufacturing sector has heavily relied on demand to help boost growth, the rise in rates, with the prospect of fur ther potential monetary tightening, could impact

education institutions.

“You will see a lot of schools (private) that re ally need assistance,” the DepEd regional director said.

Farnazo emphasized the importance of the col laboration of the DepEd and the private schools in the recovery of the educa tion sector after the pan demic.

“We can only move for ward if we do it together,” Farnazo said.

The Dagyaw Townhall Sessions organized by the

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customer spending,” Bal uch added.

Manufacturers remain optimistic for the next 12 months often linked to greater client activity, eco nomic recovery, and com panies undertaking new projects. (PNA)

Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Budget and Management highlights relevant issues thru an open dialogue between the government and the citizen stakehold ers. This year’s Dagyaw Davao Region second epi sode focuses on education recovery. (PIA/RG Alama)

husband, who is a driver. “When I got pregnant, I thought my world end ed there,” she said, “but God is truly amazing. He makes ways.”

It was a fellow teacher who saw about the Wom en of the Future Awards, which had an online call for nominations. “I also saw the call on Facebook and followed their page,” she said. “I honestly thought it was just a small award-giving body. But when I visited its website, I was amazed at how they give platforms to women from across the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia.”

When she got a word that she was nominat ed, she was ecstatic. She came to Singapore not knowing that she would emerge the winner. “I was crying and it felt surre al,” she said now. “I can’t believe it. I really didn’t know what to say when it was my turn to give my speech. I just said I

dedicate this award to all indigenous women in the Philippines, to all the Blaan. I believe it is now the time for us to write our own stories and for our stories to be heard and read.”

Because she is a wom an, a mother and a wife, Quijano thinks women should write their own stories. “Women need to write their stories,” she said. “The indigenous people need to write about themselves. Repre sentation matters!”

Even before she won the prestigious award, she’s already popular. “I’m very glad that a lot of my students, even IP students, are inspired by my work, like it can happen even to an IP,” she said. “Every dream is reachable; you just work hard for it, wait for it and in God’s time, it will come true. Equal ly important is that you surround yourself with the right people.

While the punching rampage in the NCAA has hugged the sports headlines, little did I know that there was one Dabawenyo play ing in the College of Saint Benilde, Robi Nayve.

Again, it was Rommel Duco, who used to play for Montana Pawnshop Team B, who first pro vided the information. “Ako ng pag umangkon Mo,” he said.

So, I decided to start digging for information.

Lo and behold, fellow Holy Cross Crusader Chito Ramos had plenty of stories to tell. Now tell me, coach Chito who is this Robi Nayve, who has been making some sparks for Saint Benilde, the team that just entered the NCAA Final Four.

“Assumption na elementa ry, kauban nas anak ni Doc Bong Presbi,” coach Chito said. The anak of Dr.Bong Presbitero is Raf, who I could not forget because he would always ask his Dad, “Dad, naa kay something?”. Regalo ba, that’s what Raf meant.

Robi started under the watch of coach Ice Gravador, assistant coaches Rolly Sancho and Jigger Saniel and after the departure of coach Ice in 2013, assistant coach Chito came that summer.

Coach Chito had the pleasure of assisting Nayve and two other outstanding players Allyn Bula nadi, who now plays in the PBA, and Vic Tarranza. And during their

MOSES BILLACURA CLEAN

SLATE

CONVERSATIONS WITH COACH CHITO ABOUT RISING-STAR ROBI NAYVE

stint, Assumption dominated the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) and JS Gaisano Cup tournaments.

Chito has been in the shadows of legendary coach Arthur “Tura” Sumalinog, learning along with his basketball barkadas in the Crusad ers team. And that style of coach ing they learned, Chito and other coaches like Rolly and Jigger have been imparted to rising star play ers in the Davao basketball circuit.

I had the pleasure of observing the late coach Tura and I could not forget his red cap, pula kanunay ang kalo, his fury against bad of ficiating and his high respect for basketball regional director Regi no “Boy” Cua.

Back to Nayve. Coach Chito said he advised Robi to focus on developing the point guard po sition because someday, he may have the opportunity to play in Manila. The advice turned out to be brilliant as Nayve honed that skill as a PG with three years under training by Rolly.

This has been the joy of Davao coaches to develop young play ers in the elementary school and eventually prepare them for the big leagues. That is why I always laud the organizing of tourna ments for young Dabawenyos and Dabawenyas, kay duna gyuy ma develop nga maayong players.

When businessman John Gaisano Jr. started the JS Gaisano Cup, that

was the biggest blessing for young basketeers. The Gaisano Cup since then has produced outstanding players who moved to the bigger leagues. It was the best training ground.

Chito said when coach Rolly moved to the Philippine Academy of Sakya Davao, Sakya school start ed to make waves in the tourna ments specially in the GS Cup.

Coaches have the ability to inspire players to achieve their best. And it gives me comfort that coaches who have been under coach Tura’s watch have contin ued to teach and develop players for future big leagues.

Robi Nayve, I may say, is one lucky player to be under such coaches, who despite the low pay have worked devotedly for the sport as if they are paid with full salary plus benefits.

Stories like these are inspiring and the development of basket ball for sure is going to continue because this lovely country treats basketball like a religion.

I also hope that someday, bas ketball coaches can do the coach ing job full time, not part time because once they develop their teams and players, the only way to go up is for these players to join the professional leagues.

I believe it is high time for Davao coaches to be hired like regular school employees because such work is like a full-time teacher.

Edge Davao columnist Engr. Chito Malabanan with his flightmates and the organizing team.

GOLF HEROES

Saban, Bulacan grab overall honors in Bonifacio Golf Cup

North Cotabato’s Jun Saban and up start Mario Bulacan took the over all honors in the Bonifacio Golf tournament held to commemorate Bon ifacio Day on November 30, 2022 at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

Saban of Britanicca Golf Club in Tupi tamed the rain-soaked Apo Golf with an even par 71 to bag overall gross title while 28-handicapper Bulacan made an incredible 80 or 19 under his handicap for a Net score of 52 for the stroke play format golf tour nament.

Driving rains submersed por tions of the fairways of Apo golf affecting the players which were forced to use the preferred lies or Winter rules.

Milou Tan Babol, grand daughter of the late Bert Dacudao of Lanang Golf again showed her dominance of the distaff side by taking the lowest Gross title for the distaff side with her 73 while 36-handicapper Joy Espino took the net tile with a mind blowing net score of 53 or 18 under her handicap.

For Class A Division, Gross ti tle went to JJ Saavedra with his 72 or one over par and 7-handicap per Ricric Mise took the Net Title with a net score of 66.

Mixed Nuts Buddies Presi dent Dennis Madrazo scored a 77 to get the Gros top plum in Class B while the diminutive Lance Cinco, also the winner of the 55-inch TV grand raffle prize, took the Class B net title for his 59 Net score.

For Class C division, Reggie Lee scored 80 to grab the Gross title while 26-handicapper Paul Parungao made a 14 under score of 57 to take the Net diadem.

32-handicappers Cloe Te Siong and Jojo Espino rule the Class D Division. Te Siong took the Gross title with his 85 while Espino took the Net title with his 7 under score of 64.

Veteran golfer Monchit Mack ay grabbed the Lowest Gross title for the Seniors Division with his 2 over par 73 while the ageless Ben Gaite took home the Net title with his net score 57.

The management, staff and alumni of the Apo Learning Vil lage came in full force during the warding night and delight the golfers with their Trivia Q&A with prizes about the life of the great plebian and Supremo An dres Bonifacio.

The Apo Golf and Country Club clubhouse was filled with food, drinks, fun and laughter as golfers enjoyed the night with renewed fellowship after a long while due to the pandemic.

The proceeds of this tourna ment will go to its beneficiary, the scholarship program for the Apo Learning Village and the estab lishment of a Day Care center in Salumay, Marilog District.

Winners of the Bonifacio Golf Tournament pose with organizers during the awarding ceremonies at the Apo Golf and Country Club.